Obituary

James Michael Casey

James Michael “Jim” Casey, 59 of Destin Fl passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday May 8th while at his father’s home in Wildwood, NJ.  Born in the Bronx, NY to James A. and Mary Casey, Jim attended Bedford Park Academy in NY.  He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Physical Education from the University of Santa Fe, New Mexico and following that his Masters Degree of Military Science. 

Jim is predeceased by his mother Mary E. Casey.  He is survived by his father James A. Casey; sister Barbara Heagy and husband Dennis of De; sister Maureen Casey of Ct; brother John Casey and wife Susan of Tx; sister Eileen Casey of NJ; son Matthew Casey and wife Tania of Ga; son James W. Casey and wife Valerie of NY; son Dillon Casey of Al; grandchildren Matthew, Christian, Jayden, Madelyn, and James; niece Christine, nephews Tommy and Michael, nieces Colleen and Brenna, and nephew Gavin.

Jim joined the army in 1976.  He proudly served his country for 20+ years, honorably retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996.  During service, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters (OLC), the Army Commendation Medal with 4 OLCs, and the Legion of Merit.  Along with his many service awards, LTC Casey held an Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, and a Senior Army Aviator Badge.  He was a graduate of the Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Basic School and Command and General Staff College.  LTC Casey was qualified in the UH-1 Huey Helicopters and UH-60 BlackHawk Helicopters. He was instrumental in establishing the Aviation Basic Course where he was a TAC Officer for the first cycles of the course.  He was Commander for C Company Warrant Officer Candidates where his company was chosen to be in the made for TV movie “A Time To Triumph” starring Patty Duke.  After being promoted to Major, Jim went to South Korea where he was the Executive Officer (XO) for the 201st Aviation Company.  Upon returning to the states, he was selected to attend Command and General Staff College in Residence at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.  After completing this course he was assigned XO of the task force 160th Knight Stalkers at Ft. Campbell Kentucky.  The 160th division of the Special Operations Forces consists of the Army’s best qualified aviators and support soldiers and its missions include attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and are usually conducted at night, at high speeds, low altitudes and on short notice.  Following his service with the Night Stalkers, Jim was the Battalion Commander of ROTC at The University of Georgia.  After retiring from the Army in 1996, Jim continued to serve his country with MPRI consulting on tactical training operations as a member of the MPRI Kuwait Team.  Upon returning to the states, he began employment as an Instrument Instructor Pilot training new Army Aviators for URS (formerly Lear Seigler Services, Inc.).

Jim was well known for his kindness, generosity, and unfaltering willingness to help a person in need.  A true outdoors man, he loved kayaking,  fishing and boating in the Gulf of Mexico.  In his early 20’s, Jim climbed Mt. Rainer.  He ran numerous marathons and continued his love of running throughout his life.  An avid UGA fan, he and his sons and grandsons spent many a Saturday cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.  When he wasn’t supporting the Dawgs, Jim was cheering for the Auburn Tigers with his youngest son Dillon.  Whenever he had the chance, Jim would travel to NJ to help his father run and maintain the family motel.  Whether he was in NJ with his dad and family, in Ga. with his son Matt and family, in Al. with his son Dillon, in NY with his son Jim and family, or hanging out at the beach with friends, you could count on Jim to be where he was needed. 

There is a memorial page set up to share photos and memories – www.JamesMichaelCasey.com

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to 

Lakeside Baptist Church
Carpenters for Christ
2865 Old Rocky Ridge Road
Birmingham, AL 35243
Please make checks out to “Carpenters for Christ”, send to the Lakeside church, put in the “for line” in memory of James Casey

 Services will be held at:
Ingersoll-Greenwood
Funeral Home
1201 Central Ave.
North Wildwood, N