John Joseph Cashel Jr.

John Joseph Cashel, Jr. 82, of Lafayette, died Dec. 28, 2007. Born April 15, 1925, to John and Johanna Cashel, he was reared in Palo Alto, graduating from Palo Alto High School where he was a student body officer and member of its championship water polo and basketball teams. He briefly attended Menlo College on a three-sport athletic scholarship, before enlisting in the US Marine Corps for service as an officer during and following WWII. He then attended Stanford University where he played varsity basketball and rugby, and was sports editor of "The Stanford Daily." He was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, graduating in 1948 with a degree in journalism. He served again in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, resigning his commission in 1955 at the rank of captain. In 1952 he married college classmate Guyla Runyan, and started a corporate career in public relations and communications with Kaiser Aluminum that would span over 30 years. During that time, he also served as state chairman of one of the country's original recycling organizations. After early retirement, he formed a public relations consulting firm, helped found a retirees advocacy association, and served on the board of the World Affairs Council of Northern California. John was a supporter of scholarships for student-athletes, serving as a board member of the Stanford Buck/Cardinal Club. For his significant and long-standing volunteer service, he was named to the honorary organization of Stanford Associates. In Lafayette he served as an early member of the Lafayette Improvement Association, coached youth basketball, and provided adult leadership in Boy Scouts. He was an active leader of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Orinda, serving five terms as senior warden, and as chairman of a major capital fund campaign. He also was a board member of The Bishop's Ranch conference center, Healdsburg, CA. John is survived by his wife, Guyla; daughter, Joan, son-in-law, Daniel Pyne and children, Kathryn and Joseph of Los Angeles; daughter, Susan, son-in-law, David Jenks and children, Kelly and Peyton of Palo Alto; and son, James, daughter-in-law, Anne Ching and children, Madeleine and Malia of Sonoma. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Schmidt of Palo Alto, her son, Kirk of Watsonville, and his family. As a husband, father, relative, colleague and friend, be was admired, loved, and will be missed very much. A Memorial Service will be held at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 66 St. Stephen's Dr., Orinda, CA 94563 on Sat., Jan. 19, 2008, 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would invite gifts to the Buck/ Cardinal Club, Stanford Athletics, PO Box 20466, Stanford, CA 94309; St. Stephen's Church, or the charity of your choice.