James G Cassel Jr.

Jim was born in Lebanon on May 29, 1950, the son of the late J. Gerald Cassel, Sr. and Arlene Wagner Cassel of Palmyra. He was a 1968 graduate of Palmyra High School and a 1972 graduate of Lebanon Valley College with a degree in Economics and Business Administration.

After obtaining his degree, Jim opened Cassel’s Men’s Clothing on Cumberland Street in downtown Lebanon. In 1990, following a devastating fire, Jim moved the store across the street and reopened in partnership with his long-time friend and employee, Del Roth. As a result of renovations completed at the new location, Cassel’s Men’s Clothing was awarded the Community of Lebanon Association Image Award. The store remained a fixture in Lebanon for 32 years and a gathering place for local businessmen. A few years later, Jim embarked on a new career in wealth management with Lutheran Brotherhood, later Thrivent Financial. After about a decade, he started his own company, Evergreen Financial, a business he loved and worked at until the day he first became ill.

Community involvement was important to Jim, and he devoted countless hours to a number of organizations in the Lebanon Valley. For 24 years he served as President of the Board of Directors of Community Homes of Lebanon County, an agency that provides apartments for senior citizens and disabled persons. Jim was also active with the Boy Scouts and served as Scoutmaster for Troop 26 in Campbelltown for a number of years. In 1993 he received the Scoutmaster’s Award of Merit for the outstanding record compiled by the troop. The following year he was named the Southern Lebanon Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Year in recognition of his community service.

A member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lebanon for over 40 years, Jim served on both the Finance Committee and Church Council. Through his church affiliation, he was asked to serve on the board of Luthercare, the Social Service arm of the Lutheran Church in Lancaster and Lebanon Counties. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve services to Lebanon County residents.

Jim is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Judith (Judy) Lindenmuth Cassel of Mt. Gretna where they resided; his three sons, James G. Cassel III (Denise) of Lebanon and their children Brady, MaryGrace, and James IV; Andrew L. Cassel (Becky) of Conifer, CO; and Christopher A. Cassel (Meagan) of Mt. Gretna and their children Benson and Anna. Also surviving are his sister Dawn Neubauer (Richard) of Palmyra and his niece Katherine Neubauer of Hershey, along with several aunts and uncles, many cousins, and a host of friends.

Jim loved the outdoors, camping, and watching the wildlife in Mt. Gretna. Raising his three sons in the beauty of the town brought him great joy. He continued sharing that joy with his precious grandchildren as they came to Gretna every Friday night for their “adventure” and sleepover at Gram and Papa’s house.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 11, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Rohland Funeral Home, 508 Cumberland St., Lebanon. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 12 at 11:00 AM at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman St., Lebanon, with visitation from 9:30 AM until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania, PO Box 459, Arendtsville, PA 17303 or to Research at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Office of University Development, HS21, 1249 Cocoa Ave., Suite 115, P.O. Box 852, Hershey, PA 17033-0852.

Jim’s family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit at the Hershey Medical Center for their compassionate care and to acknowledge the extraordinary skill and dedication of Dr. David Ermak and Dr. Mark Rapp.