Malibu resident Michael Wilson Casey died from pancreatic cancer at the Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Woodland Hills on Oct. 22. He was 53.
Casey was a communication professor and held the Carl P. Miller Chair of Communication at Pepperdine University, where he taught for more than 20 years. He previously taught at the University of Maine and was a visiting scholar at Baylor University.
A native of Kennett, Mo., he was a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School in 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 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.”
Casey was a member of the University Church of Christ in Malibu. He was a member of the American Academy of Religion, the Speech Communication Association and the International Society for the History of Rhetoric.
He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Judy Jordan Casey; son, Neil Jordan Casey; mother, Melba Casey; sister, Rita Casey and brothers, Shaun and Neil Casey. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Casey and a sister, Karen Casey.
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.
A graveside service will take place at Mt. Zion Cemetery in Hendrickson, Mo. on Saturday. A memorial service will take place later at Pepperdine University.