Russel Hansen Casey

Russel H. Casey was born August 25, 1916 in Kennard, Nebraska. He was the son of Ray and Lillian (Hansen) Casey. Russel was raised in the Kennard area and attended school there, graduating from Kennard High School in 1934. While attending high school, Russel was employed working on the railroad.

Shortly after graduation, Russel moved to the Denver, Colorado area looking for work following the great depression. He was initially employed for a moving company, assisting in the daily operations of moving personal effects of families. He later accepted employment with Shockett Electric Company as a fixture installer for nearly five years.

Russel was inducted in the service of his country into the United States Navy in 1943. He served honorably during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Upon completion of his active military obligation, Russel remained in the United States Naval Reserve until 1952.

Upon his honorable discharge from active service, Russel returned to Denver where he immediately accepted employment with Gates Rubber Company, manufacturing belts and hoses. During his thirty year career with Gates, Russel worked in the plate and welding shop of the company, retiring in 1977 as a supervisor. While working for Gates Rubber, Russel was a member of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum & Plastic Workers of America (URW). He served as Vice President of URW, Local in Denver where he assisted in settling strikes, representing the workers.

Russel was married to Patsy R, Stephenson on June 25, 1960 in Greeley, Colorado. After Russel's retirement, the couple moved to the Hill N Dale addition on Keystone Lake, near Cleveland, Oklahoma, in 1978. After moving to Oklahoma, Russel was hired as manager of the Ball Oil Jiffy Store, near Bear Creek, south of Cleveland. He served in this capacity, working alongside his wife Pat at the store for nearly ten years. The couple moved into Cleveland from Hill N Dale in 1999.

Russel loved to around people and especially children. He loved talking and listening but mostly enjoyed their company. Additionally, he like to spend as much time as he could outdoors just tinkering, fishing or working in the garden. He was a skilled craftsman and made some beautiful furniture. He was also a member of the Ancient Order of Freemasonry for over fifty years.

He is survived by his wife, Patsy R. Casey, of the home; son and his wife, Shawn and Christine Casey, Cleveland, Oklahoma; daughter, Karen Ledbetter, Tulsa, Oklahoma; daughter, Linda Smith of Tulsa, Oklahoma; six grandchildren, Casey Lee Barbour and Riley Ledbetter, booth of Tulsa, Oklahoma; Dalton James Casey and Aubrey Rose Casey, both of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Kate Ridenour of Skiatook, Oklahoma and Ann Janette McCullin of Sapulpa, Oklahoma; ten great-grandchildren; four sisters, Clara Ritter, Grand Island, Nebraska, Phyllis Hancock, Freemont, Nebraska, Mary O'Neal, Gregory, South Dakota and Lilarae Landis, North Platte, Nebraska.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, December 4, 2002 at the Chapel of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Pastor Shannon Morgan officiating. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Veteran's of Foreign War, District Honor Guard.

''Visit and online obituary and guestbook for Russel Casey at www.chapman-black.com.''