Joe Cash

Dr. Joe Cash,78, of Idaho Falls, Idaho , died February 10, 2018.

Joe was born in Knox City, Texas, to Ottis and Sudia Hutton Cash on December 14, 1939. After graduating from Knox City High School, he completed the B.A. Degree in English from Abilene Christian University, and the M.A. and PhD degrees in English from Texas Tech University. Coming from a long line of school teachers, he taught English 48 years, 10 in Texas— which included Abilene Christian University, Lubbock Public Schools, Texas Tech, and Lubbock Christian University, and 38 in Louisiana, at McNeese State University, where he also chaired the Department of English and Foreign Languages for 23 years. He was awarded the title, "Professor Emeritus" at the time of his retirement. With advancing age, Joe and his wife, Lydia, chose to retire to Idaho Falls, ID, which is near their daughter and her family.

Preceding him in death were his grandson Jacob Sanders, his parents, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He is survived by his only wife, Lydia Cone Cash, and love of his life for more than 50 years. The Cashes had two children: a daughter and her family, Sarah, husband Jeff Sanders, and grandson Thomas, all of Idaho Falls, ID; and a son and his family, Josef Cash, wife Karen, and granddaughter Kelsey, all of Lake Charles.

Joe and Lydia attended the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He had a strong faith in Christianity, had no doubt of a resurrection, and believed God's promise of eternal life after death. After moving to Idaho, he and his wife, Lydia, worshiped at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls, ID.

Joe will be remembered, by those who knew him as an English professor and Department Chair; Chapter Advisor to Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, 1973-1990, McNeese State University Chair, Financial Aid Appeals Committee, 1980-2010; an avid historic preservationist at both the local and the statewide levels; a founding designer of Art Associates Gallery in Lake Charles, which honors the Cashes with an annual juried show named "The Joe and Lydia Cash Annual Art Associates Juried Exhibition." He and his wife, Lydia, were members of Merrymates Dance Club, and served as co-presidents. Joe was a member of Krewe Bonne Vie, on court, and a member of the board. He would later become a founding board member of Krewe Deja vu Du Monde, Vice President of Krewe Relations, and was on court. Joe was honored to be named a Duke by the Krewe of Mystique, 2000. Just as Joe was completing his last year as an English Professor at McNeese (2009-2010), he was nominated by a professor from TWU and elected to the Executive Committee [the Board] of the South Central Modern Language Association (the SCMLA)—a 70-year old professional organization that includes six states in the south central region of the United States. Cash was the first person ever nominated and elected to that board from the McNeese English and Foreign Languages Department. The Cashes have left a McNeese endowment which funds The Annual Joe and Lydia Cash Endowed Lecture in Literature and Culture.

During his 38 years at McNeese, Joe was among the first four advisors selected for the establishment of the Division of Basic Studies, and later named the first Director of Graduate Studies in English (9/80-9/85). Among his University committees and activities he served on were: Chair, Financial Aid Committee (1978-2010); Chapter Advisor, Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (1973-1992); Member of the Graduate Faculty, 1972-2010; and many others. His major term of service was Head of the Department of English and Foreign Languages (8/18/86-7/31/09). Cash retired from McNeese, July 31, 2010.

While at McNeese, Dr. Cash was active in community service. At the beginning of his two terms as statewide president of the Louisiana Preservation Alliance, 1998-2000, he received a National Trust travel grant to attend a major Preservation Workshop in Atlanta and Savannah, GA. These meetings that were held at SCAD (The Savannah College of Art and Design) included such speakers as Peter Brink, the Director of the National Trust, Washington, D.C., among others, and gave him the training to develop very active historic preservation organizations not only for the state, but especially for Lake Charles. He devoted many years to the establishment of sound Historic Preservation principles in Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish.

After researching the history of Lake Charles for several years, he was frequently asked to speak at many clubs and civic organizations throughout the area. After realizing so many people had heard the speech, some more than once, he knew it had to be retired. Cash gave the speech for the last time for the Junior League's burial of a time capsule at the Lake Charles Civic Center; and his speech, along with numerous items representing Lake Charles, were placed in the capsule for burial. He never gave the speech again. Born a Texan, he came to love the people and the culture of Louisiana. He was often heard to say, "We came here as strangers, and they took us in."

Joe Cash requested, in life, that none who knew him mourn his death, but that they remember their good times together. Persons wishing to send remembrances are asked to give to the charity of their choice, to the Joe and Lydia Cash Annual Endowed Lecture in Literature (through The McNeese Foundation), to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Lake Charles, to Art Associates of Lake Charles, Inc., or to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

A memorial service for Joe will be held at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (270 N. Placer) in Idaho Falls on Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with The Reverend Susan E. Speir presiding. A light reception will follow the service where the family will be available for greeting. Interment will be at the Chapel of the Resurrection, Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Charles, Louisiana during the summer so all family members can be present.

Memorial Services will be held