John Brian Casson

Always one for a celebration, John Brian Casson came into the world on Christmas Eve, 1967 in Westminster, CA. He was one of four children born to Kenneth Alan Casson and Lois Margaret Casson nee Kalander. Ken Casson was a career Navy Air Traffic Controller and Aviation Warfare Specialist and the family lived mostly in Virginia Beach, VA and Millington, TN.

Much to the disappointment of his Millington Central High football team, Brian was drawn to performing arts over sports. This led to a love of theater that he passed on to his children.

Brian returned to his birth state of California to serve in the California San Jose Spanish speaking mission from 1988-1990. He then attended BYU Idaho (formerly known as Ricks College) where his love of the stage grew as an Opera performer and member of the Ricks College traveling performing arts company, ‘Show Time,’ where he made lifelong friends. He moved to Salt Lake City with these friends in a reverse, ‘Three’s Company,’ living situation and spent the next few years figuring life out with them.

If you’ve ever had a conversation with Brian you know that he had a brilliant mind and would have found success in any field. At his core, however, he was a bon vivante; someone who loves culture, living well, great food, and socializing. This led to a culinary career where many were lucky to taste his creative and delicious creations. Entertaining and socializing was also how he met the love of his life, Heidi Swartz, at a dinner party he hosted in late 2002. In a grand gesture, he proposed marriage by having the men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir serenade her during a rehearsal she was running with, ‘Let Me Call You Sweetheart,’ while he walked onto the stage with roses and a ring. They were sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple on November 3, 2006, followed by a celebration at Caputo’s.

Soon after their marriage, Brian found the role he was born for; Dad. Pyper Marie Casson was born October 5, 2007, and Israel Swartz Casson joined the family December 17, 2009. Fatherhood was his favorite, most rewarding and most challenging role as anyone who was around during homework time at the Casson home can attest. Brian’s role of typical fatherhood responsibilities would expand greatly when Ike was diagnosed with an often lethal brain tumor at age 1. This devastating news turned Brian into a tireless cheerleader, advocate, fundraiser, health system expert, mentor and friend for countless other parents of children with cancer, and Super Dad.

Culinary career ambitions were put on the back burner for a night shift with the United States Postal Service so that he was available to take care of the kids during the day and attend the myriad of doctor appointments and hospital stays that were the Casson family’s new normal.

The Casson family moved to Bountiful, UT in 2011. In the whirlwind of raising children, church, work, childhood cancer, regular trips to Disneyland, and lots of plays and performances, Brian was a steady pillar for his family and their friends. He truly delighted in his role as father, husband, uncle, and friend.

After years of knee pain, infection, and surgeries, Brian visited the hospital on Friday, July 17, 2026, following an epic road trip with his son, Ike. He underwent another surgery with the goal of clearing the knee infection. While recovering at the hospital, he stood up, then quickly collapsed, leaving this world in a flash despite hospital staff trying so hard to give us more time with him.

Brian leaves a huge hole in our hearts and lives that will never fully heal. We can, however, find comfort in the things he loved; family, performing arts, a refreshing swim, delicious food shared with family and friends, all things Disney, and loud laughter.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth Alan Casson (1943-2022) and Lois Margaret Casson (1942-2025), and mother-in-law Holly Swartz (1945-2012). He is survived by his wife Heidi Swartz Casson, his children Pyper Casson and Israel Casson, Uncle Russ (Linda) Kalander, cousins Taylor (Nathan Rasmussen) Kalander, Spencer (Naomi Heckmann) Kalander, nephew Rex Rasmussen, and many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel, 990 North 100 West, Bountiful, Utah. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m., at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, Utah, and Saturday morning from 9:30-10:45 a.m., at the church prior to services.

Services will be streamed live on the Russon Mortuary and Crematory YouTube Channel and on this obituary page. See YouTube video below.