Donald Casey, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, in Fairfield, Texas. Memorial Services were held 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 8 at Calvary Baptist Church, 220 E Main Street, Fairfield. Interment followed at Lake Chapel Cemetery.
The Memorial Service was led by Tim Walton, Elder, Austin’s Colony Church of Christ, Bryan, Texas with congregational singing led by Scott Faulk, College Park Church of Christ.
Donald was born in Fairfield, Texas on February 15, 1941, to Tolbert and Velma (Hughes) Casey. Donald, the fifth of six children, was reared by his parents in a loving home. He had fond memories of spending time with his family, including his big brothers Billy and Bubba. There were family grocery shopping trips in Teague followed by Saturday night movies at the theater. Many hours were spent playing with his big sisters Lera, Barbara Nell and little sister, Linda. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans was often his and Linda’s favorite game of choice. Child play didn’t last forever and to help the family and earn a little pocket money, Donald began mowing yards at the young age of 12 and pumped gas at Mac Baker’s Texaco station on Hwy 75 for several years beginning at 14 years old. Donald graduated from Fairfield High School in 1959 and shortly after began working alongside his big brother, Bubba, in numerous businesses. Donald was a resident of Freestone County for most of his life except for a few years. In 1960, he met Karen Sue Bray of Chilton, Texas. Donald spent many hours on Saturday afternoons washing various beautiful ’50-something Chevys before burning up the road between Fairfield and Chilton to spend time with his girl.
Donald and Sue were married on October 13, 1962. Following their marriage, Donald and his bride made their home for a time in Chilton while caring for the health needs of his father-in-law all while learning the ins and outs of managing a small cattle ranch. This experience established a deep-rooted love for ranching that Donald and Sue would, once again, enjoy in their later years.
Donald was a gifted and skilled craftsman, journeyman and salesman. Whether working as an HVAC sheet metal journeyman, working with his brother in a trucking company, owning and managing a Peterbilt long-hauler trucking business, or later as an electrician, Donald was the ultimate of professionals. His passion and love for cars and trucks was a springboard to almost 20 years, collectively, of sharing his car sales knowledge in Fairfield and Ennis, Texas. Working for Casey Chevrolet, Bruce Brown Chevrolet, Fairfield Ford, Awalt Wholesale and as a managing partner in Pyramid Ford, Donald’s clients were known to not only drive many miles to purchase a vehicle from him but to even switch from a Chevy to a Ford, depending on what car company he was representing. Donald was honest, respectful, and always took care of his customers.
Along the way Donald was blessed with three beautiful children, Cris, Caren, and Scott. With children came many responsibilities as he and Sue worked to save for college educations. In 1986, Donald began his employment with Texas Utilities Mining Company where many friends were made over the 12-hour day and night shifts he worked in the mine. Beginning as a pumper and concluding as an electrician after completing countless hours of classes, short courses and earned certifications, Donald’s love for the classroom was evident. In 1995, encouraged by his wife and children after having funded the college educations of all three of his kids, Donald retired from TUMCO and began his final educational endeavor. He went back to college! He completed an Associate degree from Trinity Valley Community College, and then went on to study technology at the University of Texas at Tyler where he earned both a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences and a Master of Arts in Teaching.
Following graduation in 1999, Groesbeck Middle School hired Donald to open the inaugural Paxton Patterson Technology Lab for middle school students. After a lifetime of interesting careers, Donald always referred to the eleven years of teaching middle school students as “my favorite job of all.” Groesbeck ISD recognized Donald with the honor of Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2007.
Upon his second retirement in 2010, Donald poured his energy and enthusiasm into building their small farm and ranch with land they purchased in 2000. The old Day Farm on 488 that he often passed on the road and admired as a child with his Daddy was brought back to life under his caring hands and the farm and ranch knowledge learned years ago. The Casey Farm glistens with rolling Tifton Bermuda grass and a beautiful herd of cattle that Donald and Sue have enjoyed. Whether watching and counting the herd from the back porch over their morning coffee with their faithful farm dogs, Ellie and Blue, or riding the pastures, every cow was given a name and recorded in the farm notepad. Raising quality Texas cattle was a passion and love he and Sue shared; and working the farm, together, was the ultimate gift to each other. He was filled with much pride when family, friends and other cattle ranchers would stop to admire the cattle and compliment how beautiful the place looked.
Donald and Sue Casey are devout Christians. His faith was strong to the end and his love of Christ unquestionable. Donald served the Lord as a member of the 7th Avenue Church of Christ in Teague, Texas. He devoted his life to fulfilling the purpose the Lord had for him and used his gifts and abilities to serve others. Donald believed living for Christ meant to love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself. He demonstrated his faith in God and love for people through his actions.
His commitment to service and family carried over to his children and grandchildren. While his children were growing up, Donald could be seen helping them with their school projects, FFA animal projects, attending band concerts, marching competitions, and driving many miles behind yellow school buses across east Texas to watch cheerleading and athletic events. He loved encouraging his children to do their best in everything they participated in, to keep a yellow notepad with a to-do list, and to always use one strike when crossing off completed tasks on said list. His grandchildren knew him as their Grandaddy or simply G&G. Grandmomma and Grandaddy enjoyed attending the grandkids’ school, athletic and milestone events as much as possible and having everyone home to enjoy the farm. Many “Grandaddy jokes” were shared by Donald. His quick wit, smile and sparkling Casey blue eyes were what each of his grandbabies will always remember about their sweet Grandaddy.
In addition to activities with his family, Donald loved exploring websites in search of tools and gadgets to help with the everyday tasks on the farm, watching YouTube classic car shows and making the daily morning drive to town in his red Chevy truck to have morning coffee with his friends where they worked to solve all of life’s problems.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Sue Casey; daughter Cris Bowden and husband Darren of Katy, Texas; daughter Caren Walton and husband Tim of College Station, Texas; son Scott Casey and wife Jenna of Benbrook, Texas; grandchildren Cade Walton and wife Morgan; Brian Bowden and wife Mariana; Callyn Walton, Robin Bowden, Owen Casey, Colin Casey and great-grandson Beckett Walton. He’s also survived by sister Barbara Nell Sartor and husband Terry of Teague, Texas; sister-in-law Jean Casey of Fairfield, Texas; brother-in-law Jon Bray and wife Carla of Lorena, Texas, beloved nieces Carla Casey and Lisa Hull Forrester who provided extra love and care to Donald and family, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
Pallbearers were Brian Bowden, Darren Bowden, Jeff Casey, Sid Lott Jr., Jerry Don McLeod, Casey Morris, Cade Walton and Joe Wren.
Honorary Pallbearers were Mark Awalt, Jerry Eastman, Fred Galley, Richard Martin, James Meyers, Ricky Pierce, Bill Vettel and Glen Ward.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donald’s memory to:
Freestone Cancer Support Group, PO Box 1522 Fairfield, Texas 75840
The family greatly appreciates the doctors, nurses and staff from MD Anderson Hospital; Baylor Scott & White Hospital-College Station and Accent Care Hospice for providing their compassionate care throughout Donald’s illness. A special thank you to the nurses and care providers- Maegan, Penny, Dee and Carolyn. Each provided much comfort and support to Donald and the entire family.
