BROWNSVILLE, Texas - Tributes are pouring in for Carlos Humberto Cascos, the former Cameron County Judge and Texas Secretary of State, who has passed away at the age of 71.
According to NewsTalk 710 KURV, Cascos suffered a heart attack Wednesday night on South Padre Island while driving home after a conference. He crashed into a parked vehicle, was found unresponsive and pronounced dead at Valley Regional Medical Center in Brownsville. Cascos was 71. Justice of the Peace Linda Salazar pronounced him dead at 9:15 p.m.
Here are some of the tributes:
Eddie Treviño, Cameron County Judge:
“I am deeply saddened and truly sorry to learn about the passing of Judge Cascos. For decades, Judge Cascos was a fixture in our community, serving selflessly as a volunteer, then as an appointed and elected official. As a certified public accountant, fiscal matters, most memorably being fiscally conservative, were always priorities of Judge Cascos while he served both as a County Commissioner and County Judge. My heartfelt condolences go out to the entire Cascos family, the Cascos & Associates CPA firm, and all his friends and those affected by his untimely passing. Let us reflect and remember Judge Cascos for all of the positive impacts he made towards the betterment of Cameron County, the Rio Grande Valley, and the state of Texas, for which we are thankful. May he Rest in Peace.”
Trey Mendez, former Brownsville mayor:
"It was heartbreaking to hear about the tragic passing of Carlos Cascos last night. Carlos was not only a friend, but he was my accountant and next door neighbor for 15 years. Carlos will forever be remembered as an honorable and well respected leader, serving as County Commissioner, County Judge and Secretary of State. Carlos was always willing to give advice and was a strong supporter. When I was re-elected to the Board at Texas Southmost College, Carlos swore me in. A great life cut short. I will always remember the conversations outside our garages, great times at his home and his old Ford Bronco. Condolences to his wife, Candy, his wonderful daughters, Andrea and Cassandra, and his sister, Gloria."
City of Brownsville:
"The City of Brownsville sends its heartfelt condolences to the family of former Cameron County Judge Carlos H. Cascos.
Judge Cascos served as Cameron County Judge from 2007 to 2014, a period during which he made significant contributions to the community. Judge Cascos also served as Cameron County Commissioner from 1991 through 2002. His dedication to public service extended beyond his role as a judge. From 2015 to 2017, he served as the 110th Texas Secretary of State following his appointment by Governor Greg Abbott, and he was also appointed to the Texas Public Safety Commission by former Governor Rick Perry.
In addition to his prominent roles at the county and state levels, Judge Cascos made substantial contributions to the City of Brownsville. He was appointed to the City of Brownsville Charter Review Committee on December 3, 2019, and was reappointed on October 24, 2022. His work on this committee was instrumental in guiding the city's governance and policies, he will be dearly missed."
Pedro E. Cardenas, Brownsville City Commissioner:
“I am saddened by the news of Judge Carlos Cascos' passing. He was a powerful advocate for the city of Brownsville and all of Cameron County, always ready to listen and offer me advice without hesitation. My prayers are with his family and friends. May he rest in peace.”
Tina Villarreal, Brownsville City Commissioner:
“I am saddened to hear of the recent passing of a family friend Carlos Cascos. An amazing father, husband and brother to his family. My condolences to Candy, Andrea and Cassandra and his sister Gloria Rico. I am here for you… Rest in peace.”
Richard Cortez, Hidalgo County Judge:
“I am shocked and saddened by the news of the passing of dear friend Carlos Cascos. As a former Cameron County Judge, a former Cameron County Commissioner, and a former Texas Secretary of State, Carlos embodied public service and served faithfully not only the people of Cameron County but the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas as well. Hidalgo County sends its prayers to Carlos’s family.”
Henry Cuellar, U.S. Representative:
“I’m saddened to hear that Carlos Cascos has passed away. He and I were both Texas Secretaries of State. May Carlos rest in peace. He will forever be remembered as a selfless public servant. Carlos and his family are in my prayers.
Francisco Galvan, former economic development director for the state of Tamaulipas:
“With sadness this morning I learned of the death of my friend Carlos Cascos, who I knew for many years - ever since the beginning of his profession as comptroller for the John Deere dealership in Brownsville. And, later, during his service as Cameron County Judge and then as Secretary of State for Texas. My condolences to his family. Rest In Peace, my friend Carlos.
Norma Sepulveda, Harlingen Mayor:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Carlos Cascos. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Carlos.”
Janie Lopez, state Representative:
“I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Carlos Cascos, a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for the betterment of our community. His leadership and commitment will be greatly missed. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”
Carlos H. Cascos was born in Matamoros, Mexico, on Sept. 18, 1952.
He attended Brownsville public schools and became a U.S. citizen in his adolescence. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
A certified public accountant, Cascos was a partner in the regional accounting firm of Pattillo, Brown & Hill, LLP. He was a member of the American Institute, the Texas Society and the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Certified Public Accountants. In addition, he was a member of the Association of Government Accountants and the American College of Forensic Examiners.
Cascos was elected Cameron County Judge in 2006 and re-elected in 2010 and again in 2014. Previously, Cascos served on the Texas Public Safety Commission and as a Cameron County Commissioner from 1991 through 2002.
Gov. Greg Abbott nominated Carlos H. Cascos to serve as Texas Secretary of State in January, 2015. As the 110th Texas Secretary of State, Cascos served for two years.
As county judge, Cascos served in a number of statewide roles including chairman of the Texas Border Security Council, vice-chair of the Panama Canal Stakeholder Workgroup, and vice-chair of the state’s Freight Advisor Committee.
He also served as a board member of numerous local civic organizations such the United Way, Sunrise Rotary Club, Leadership Brownsville, and the Brownsville Economic Development Council.
Cascos was married to Candy Cascos. They had two daughters, Casandra and Andrea.
By Steve Taylor
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND: Veteran broadcaster Ron Whitlock said Cascos never boasted of his achievements and therefore many people would now know that he brought Schlitterbahn to South Padre Island.
“As Cameron County Judge, Carlos Cascos collaborated with me, during interviews on my weekly half hour television show on KRGV TV 5. Through these appearances he ultimately persuaded Schlitterbahn Water Park to locate on SPI rather than Corpus Christi. This was around the time that the residents of SPI were tired of the masses of college students coming there for Spring Break.
“SPI voters, property owners who cared, city leaders and state law enforcement authorities were cracking down on spring breakers and were forcing them to go elsewhere, which they did. They took their millions of dollars during Texas Week to Cancun, Mexico, and other destinations. Those resorts were happy to accommodate the spring breakers.
“As a CPA, Carlos, ultimately, over time, came to realize that, if the owner of Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels, Texas, the legendary Water Park Ride creator, Jeff Henry and his family, were to build a world famous Schlitterbahn Water Park at Cameron County’s Isla Blanca Park, it would bring in not only tourist dollars to replace those being forced to go elsewhere, but, it would enable SPI to be marked as a family oriented water park destination, in addition to a beach destination.
“The Schlitterbahn waterpark, now called Beach Park @ Isla Blanca, brings in thousands of families from all across, Texas, Mexico and the world, to South Padre Island, Texas.
“In my opinion, helping secure today’s Beachpark @ Isla Blanca on South Padre Island, Texas was one of the most important things Carlos Cascos accomplished while serving as Cameron County Judge.”
Editor’s Note: Here, below, is an edition of Ron Whitlock’s Valley Newsline show from 2007, featuring then Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos. At the time he had just been appointed chairman of the Texas Border Security Council by Gov. Rick Perry.
Editor’s Note: Here is a Rio Grande Guardian livestream on Facebook with Carlos Cascos from December 2017. He is interviewed by Guardian anchor Mari Regalado.
Editor’s Note: Here is a Rio Grande Guardian livestream with Carlos Cascos from September 2018. He is interviewed by Guardian editor Steve Taylor.
