P. Richard "Rich" Cason

Paul Richard Cason, born on the same property as he lived in Elgin, on June 19, 1935 to Paul Richard and Wilma Alice (Hill) Cason. He was raised and educated in Elgin, graduating with the Elgin high school class of 1954. He then attended Western Oregon University in Monmouth where he received his teaching credentials. He attended Eastern Oregon University where he earned a master's degree.

Rich, as he was best known, taught school in La Grande, Echo for 20 years, and briefly at Monument where he became superintendent and later was superintendent of Powder Valley in North Powder.

On October 21, 1956 Rich was married to Barbara Sutton in Elgin.  He was later married to Lorine Putnam on August 11,1970, in Reno, Nevada.  Both marriages ended in divorce.

He began riding in parades at age 15 and rode as the Sultan Sheik initially. After 62 years the Pendleton Round-up Association gave him a trophy buckle for his consecutive years driving his buggy and mules carrying the can-can girls. He was also very active with the Elgin Stampeders, being Grand Marsall in 2010. He loved horses and later mules and all of the care that they require from feeding to shoeing. He guided into the high lakes and was a rafting guide down the Grande Ronde River.  Many times he rode into Red's Horse Ranch and also flew in many times as an "unofficial" pilot. In Later years he was appointed by the forest service as the 4th of July host at the ranch. He worked many years as a ranch-hand for Hibberd's Hornless Herefords.  Rich was a member of the Reno Sierra Ride and was given the handle "Rattlesnake Rich".  He kept a rattlesnake in his class room in an aquarium and later in his shed. He enjoyed hunting and loved to dance.   For many years Rich was a referee for school sporting events throughout the state.  One of the greatest honors was when Rich was invited to sit among the circle of chiefs when one of his students was coronated the chief to the Consolidated Tribes.

Relatives who remain are his children, Kathy & her husband Jim Brasch of La Grande, Kenny & his wife Kristi Cason of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren Kyra Spray, Kendra Roark, Mike Cathey, Randilinn Marquis, Brandon Cason, Lily Cason; 9 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren; a brother Darrel Cason of Beaverton; other relatives and many friends. He also had 3 step-children, Scott, Tyra and Mark, and 9 step-grandchildren.

Besides his parents he was preceded in death by a brother Dallas Cason.

A service will be held on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM, at the Elgin Stampede Hall.

Contributions in memory of Rich Cason may be made to the Elgin Stampeders Association.