Michael Wilson Casey

Michael Wilson Casey

Michael Wilson Casey, 53, of Malibu, CA, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2007 at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital, in Woodland Hills, CA from pancreatic cancer.

A native of Kennett, MO, he was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, Paducah, KY, and earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Abilene Christian University, and master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. He was Professor of Communication and held the Carl P. Miller Chair of Communication at Pepperdine University, where he taught for over twenty years. He previously taught at the University of Maine and was a visiting scholar at Baylor University. The author of numerous articles and books, his latest being The Rhetoric of Sir Garfield Todd: Christian Imagination and the Dream of an African Democracy (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2007). He was a member of the University Church of Christ in Malibu, CA; was a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Speech Communication Association, and the International Society for the History of Rhetoric.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Jordan Casey and a son, Neil Jordan Casey, both of Malibu, CA; his mother, Melba Casey of Paducah, KY; a sister, Rita Casey, of Detroit, MI; and two brothers, Shaun Casey, of Fairfax, VA and Neil Casey, of Cape Girardeau.

He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Casey and a sister, Karen Casey.

The funeral service will begin at 2 P.M. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at Mt. Zion Church, on Hwy W in northern Butler County with Roger Thompson officiating. A graveside committal service and burial will follow in Mt. Zion Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held at a later sate at Pepperdine University.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Churches of Christ Heritage Center, a historical archive Casey was instrumental in establishing at Pepperdine University. Contributions may be sent to Pepperdine University, Church Relations Office, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265, or to a church or charity or their choice.

Cotrell Funeral Service, of Poplar Bluff is in charge of local arrangements.