Matthew Knight Cashion
Obituary Notice
Matthew Knight Cashion, 78, of Little Rock died Saturday, November 20, 2004. He was born January 3, 1926, in Memphis, Tennessee, to the late Benson Homer and Gladys Knight Cashion. He attended Eudora High School and the University of Arkansas, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business in 1949 and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He served in the United States Army Air Corp from 1944 to 1946.
Knight began his career in insurance in 1949 joining Rebsamen & East in 1954, where he spent fourteen years serving as an agent and becoming a Senior Vice President. In February, 1968, Knight co-founded East, Cashion & East with his partners, the late Jack East, Sr. and late Jack East, Jr. In September, 1975, Knight founded The Cashion Company, Inc. with his son, Benson Cashion and long time business partner, Doris Nell Julian.
Cashion served in various capacities within the community and his industry. Serving as an officer when Riverdale Country Club relocated and became Pleasant Valley Country Club, Knight later served as President. He has served as an Elder at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. He held various positions on committees and the Board of the Arkansas Chapter of Associated General Contractors, receiving their Distinguished Service Award November 4, 2004. Knight was instrumental in the formation of the Arkansas Asphalt Pavement Association of which he has served as Secretary since its inception. Cashion was also honored by the Construction Industry Council of Central Arkansas for contributing to Excellence in Arkansas' Construction Industry in 1993. Knight was active in the National Association of Surety Bond Producers for five decades and served as a Board Member of the Arkansas Good Roads & Transportation Council. Cashion's highest honor came in April, 2002 when he became the first insurance/surety professional ever inducted into the Arkansas Construction Industry Hall of Fame.
Knight was an avid Razorback fan and alumni, serving for many in years in the Little Rock Razorback Club as Vice-President and as President from 1961 to 1965.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jane Hurley Cashion of Little Rock, sons Benson Arthur Cashion and wife Susie, of Little Rock, Ted Hurley Cashion and wife Ann, of Memphis, Tennessee, and Matthew Knight Cashion, Jr. and wife Susan of Little Rock. Cashion is also survived by ten grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home with a visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. There will be a private family graveside service followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, November 23 at Second Presbyterian Church in Little Rock. Memorials can be made to the Cashion Family Endowment at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, the Alzheimer's Association, or Second Presbyterian Church Building Fund. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com
Register Book
- I was so sorry to read of Knight's death. I have thought of all of you
often in the years since I baby-sat for you. Please accept my sincerest
sympathy and prayers.
Martha Decker Hill
Mountain View, Arkansas
Email: mamy.mva.crk@mvtel.net
- So sorry to read of your father's death. You're in my prayers.
Marylee Noble
Little Rock, Arkansas
- Ernest L. Cashion, MD
Physician
Prairie Grove, Arkansas
Email: elcpfc@pgtc.com
- Chicot - my First cousin - What a guy!!! So comforting just to know he was
there. He will be sorely missed.
Sandy & Kathryn Cashion
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Email: kcashion4@cox.net
- Susan Ostrander
Washington, D.C.
- One of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. He always did things the
right way with the utmost of truth and integrity. A Great Friend I will
truly miss.
Neal G Clark
Hartford Bond
Dallas, Texas
- Benson, I am so sorry about your father, he was always someone I could
respect. Your friend,
Alex Gillespie
Bentonville, Arkansas
Email: agilles901@cox-internet.com
- I am saddened at the loss of Knight as a friend, and as a strong leader in
the construction industry. I didn't really get to know Knight until his
later years but I do know his priorities were in the right place. He will be
missed by all who knew him. I extend my deepest sympathy to Benson and Matt
and the entire family.
Benny M. Koontz
President, Koontz Electric Co., Inc.
Morrilton, Arkansas
Email: benny@koontzelectric.com
- Annette Cline
Secretary-Jack Wood Construction Co, Inc.
Russellville, Arkansas
- Joan M. Good
Bkkr. Jack Wood Construction Co. inc.
Judsonia, Arkansas
Email: jawood@cablelynx.com
- George E. Wilson MD
Little Rock, Arkansas
- Matt, We are sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Our thoughts and
prayers are with you and your family.
Gerald E. Prince and Bettie Shivey
Gerald E. Prince Construction
Bryant, Arkansas
- Maria and Shane Byrum
Wyndham
North Little Rock, Arkansas
Email: mbyrum@wyndham.com
- Benson, Matt, and all the family (including your work family)- my thoughts
and prayers are with you. Knight always made you feel special when he talked
with you - our fish fry's will be lacking without him. Take care.
Emerita "Em" Sponer
Koontz Electric Company
Morrilton, Arkansas
Email: em@koontzelectric.com
- With deepest sympathy,
Klaasmeyer Construction Company Inc.
Conway, Arkansas
Email: gary@klaasmeyer.com
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