Dennis
James Casey
April 19, 1958 - February
25, 2016
Dennis
J. Casey, age 57, a 20 year resident of Yucaipa, CA, passed away Thursday,
February 25, 2016 at Redlands Community Hospital from complications of
pneumonia. Born in San Bernardino, CA in 1958 to the late David B and Eunice
(Petermeier) Casey, he was the second youngest of seven children. He grew up in
Colton, CA and graduated from Colton High School in 1976. Dennis dedicated, and
served, 33 years of his life to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department,
retiring as a Deputy Chief in 2011. That is where he met and ended up marrying
his wife of 25 years, Kathleen (Johnson) Casey. His passion for law enforcement
began as a young man while taking many "ride a longs" with the Colton
Police Department, and serving as the captain of the Colton Police Explorer
Program. Throughout his career in the Sheriff's Department he had many
assignments, all of which he proudly served. His dedication, and support for
the deputies he had the privilege to work with will forever be his legacy.
Dennis was an amazing husband and father, a great cartoonist, gifted writer,
humorous, kind hearted, and a great friend to so many who will forever be
missed. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Kathleen; two sons Jeffrey
Casey and Ryan Casey both of Yucaipa; two brothers, Daniel (Michelle) of Pismo
Beach, and Patrick of Grand Terrace; four sisters, Michaele Casey-Henry (Mark)
of Grand Terrace, Phyllis Casey-Carrell (William) of Redlands, Tina Casey of
Loma Linda, and Kathleen Casey of Port Townsend, Wa; two nieces; one nephew;
and one great-niece. A Celebration of Life will be held at Saint Frances X
Cabrini Church in Yucaipa on Monday, March 7, 2016 at 11am. A reception will
immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donation
consideration to the Semper Fi Fund in Dennis's name and memory; something he
was passionate about.
Tina
Casey
Today
you would have been 58 years old. We miss you so much Dennis. Our hearts ache.
We love you to the moon and back. Your sister, Tina
Tina
Casey
Eunice
Casey and David Benjamin Casey were added to the Family Tree.
Tina
Casey
The
people you love become Ghosts inside of you... and like this...you keep them
alive. You will always be alive in my heart Dennis. You're there tucked under
it with Mom and Dad tonight and for every night till we all meet again.
Phyllis
Casey-Carrell
Dennis,
you will always be in my heart. Thank you for your kindness, your wonderful
sense of humor, and your love. My heart is broken and filled with sorrow. I
will miss you greatly little brother. Love you to the moon!
Phyllis
Casey-Carrell
Lit
a candle in memory of Dennis James Casey
Kathleen
Casey (Sister)
Thanks,
Donny
Keith
Oliva
One
of the finest men I've ever met and I am honored to have worked for him. He was
a true leader that led by example and truly cared for his employees.
Michelle
As
big sister, this one tugged at your heart strings! So cleaver, witty, even as a
child. He and Dana Patrick would make the craziest home movies. Joe Hardhat!
What characters he would create, the sets he would build, and the silliness and
yet a your Spielberg in the works. His characters and wit and detail in all his
drawings. He had so many talents and callings, he could have been anything he wanted.
So many things. I once had a wasp nest under the eve near my bedroom. His
solution, get out the shotgun! He blue them and a hole in the under eaves! Yet,
he was so cute when his allergies acted up. Especially if the word the lawn
needs mowing! But he was here when I bought my home in 73, mowing my back yard
weeds! Miserable as he was, he didn't want Kimbo to have to deal with weeds or
the wasps in her playhouse. He was always kind, always told the truth, always
respected. A great mentor and a wonderful, no the greatest father to his boys!
If you need to be near Dennis again, go spend time with Jeff! He shares his
mannerisms, his patience, his smile, his voice. Dennis was the calm in the
storm, Mr. Sensibility. He made you feel safe while you were laughing. Dennis
and I enjoyed making up songs on the fly! Silly songs, using the tune or other
famous songs. We fed into each other doing this. We'd know where the other one
was going before we went there, the song would go on without breaks, but
laughter. I miss that. I will always miss the silliness if we were able to get
together. We had lots of talks when he was in high school, he loved
photography, He's talk to me about life, advice on women haha. We could get
into a cycle of imitating Dad and his Boston style of doing, pointing and
saying things. He would do cleaver outgoing messages for me as if he were a
Kennedy and we're all outback enjoying a bowl of clam chowda! Dennis tickled my
heart. He was loved by all. He is here watching over all of us and he will know
all the answers. Such a good man. I simply cannot comprehend this is the end.
Till we meet again, I'll be chatting with you, just like I do with Mom and Dad!
REV.
DONALD HOCUTT
Lit
a candle in memory
REV.
DONALD HOCUTT
DENNIS
WAS TO ME ALWAYS EASY GOING IN SCHOOL. HE WAS SLOW TO ANGER AND HAD A FIRM GRIP
ON WHO HE WAS, EVEN AS A TEENAGER. I KNEW MOST ALL THE CASEY BROTHERS AND
SISTERS FROM THE DAYS OF OUR GROWING UP, AND I DIDN'T KNOW ONE OF THEM THAT I
DID NOT LIKE. I LOST CONTACT WITH DENNIS AND THE REST OF THE CASEY FAMILY
SHORTLY AFTER I JOINED THE AIR FORCE, BUT I HAVE IN THESE LAST FEW YEARS
RECONNECTED WITH KATHY. I KNOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE INCLUDING BOTH FAMILY AND
FRIENDS WHO WILL MISS DENNIS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, AND FOR VERY GOOD
REASONS. DENNIS WAS A GOOD PERSON AT HEART IN ALL MY MEMORIES OF HIM, EVEN
THOUGH WE WERE TEENS. ALL I CAN SAY TO EVERYONE WHO IS MORNING HIS PASSING IS
THIS; TAKE YOUR TIME IN YOUR MORNING YOUR LOSS OF A GREAT FRIEND, AND I'M SURE
A GREAT BROTHER AS WELL, BUT AFTER AWHILE I HOPE YOU CAN KEEP ALIVE IN YOUR
HEARTS MEMORIES THAT MAKE YOU LAUGH AS WELL AS CRY. IT IS APPOINTED TO US ALL
" ONCE TO BE BORN, AND ONCE TO DIE". I KNOW IT HURTS, AND I WON'T LIE
BY SAYING THE PAIN OF LOSING SOMEONE WE LOVE WILL GO AWAY BECAUSE IT NEVER
DOES, YOU JUST LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT ALONG WITH THE MEMORIES YOU WILL HAVE OF
SOMEONE WHO IMPACTED THE LIVES OF SO MANY IN HIS TIME HERE WITH US. DENNIS, YOU
ARE "A NUMBER ONE" IN MY MIND, NOW IT IS YOUR END OF WATCH...GOD BLESS
YOU IN YOUR REST, AND GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO HAD THE HONOR OF KNOWING YOU. REST
IN PEACE MY OLD FRIEND. REV. DONALD HOCUTT. '
Kathy
Casey
To
my dear sweet husband, I miss you more than words can describe. My heart aches
for you beyond measure. You will forever be my soul mate and best friend, and I
will always be your "wife for life." Rest in peace babe. I will carry
you in my heart until we meet again! I love you.
Tina
Casey
Thank
you Dona. He went too young. We will always have him in our hearts.
Paula
Pridie
I'm
a Petermeier cousin, (oldest daughter of Bill). It's hard when there are about
80 first cousins, and you guys lived so far away. But my memory of Dennis is
hearing about him wanting to be a police officer--was he a security guard? And
getting on a scooter (?) or a mini motorcycle (?) and driving off to work. Am I
remembering correctly? (Sorry, this had to have been close to 40 years ago.) As
a family, when I was still at home, we visited twice, driving from MN. It also
seems to me like Dennis showed us how to play "pong" on the black and
white TV. It hurts to lose your family. God's Blessing and Peace to all of you!
Eternal Rest grant on to Dennis, Oh Lord! And let perpetual light shine upon
him. May he rest in peace. Amen. Paula (Petermeier) Pridie
Valerie
Logan
I
say this with a heavy heart, Dennis left us too soon, a great man with many
talents, he was such a jokester, when I visited him in the hospital back when
he was younger, he had surgery, so he had a large incision, he put a zipper tag
at the top and had me believe that is how the doctors opened him up. We sure
got a good laugh out of it. He has left a great legacy and will be missed. Our
heartfelt condolences to the entire Casey family in this time of sorrow. Love
you. Scott & Valerie Logan
Kim
Adkins
I
love you so much Uncle Dennis. Thank you for so many wonderful memories.
Especially teaching me how to drive in your Chevy truck and in Grampy's big
green Oldsmobile up in the sand hills (I never did tell him about that)! You
always made me laugh and were the best story teller ever. I will miss your
words of wisdom and your infectious smile and hearing you call me
"Kimbo". I am blessed to have you as a "big brother" and I
will miss you more than you can ever imagine. I love you.
Dona
Gilbert
I
wish I had the right words to ease your loss and pain but I am praying for you
and all the family
Dona
Gilbert
Lit
a candle in memory
Tina
Casey
Lit
a candle in memory
Gil
and Pat Waite
We
loved the times Dennis came and visited us and all his funny stories. We will
miss him but see him again. Love, Gil and Pat Waite
