My husband, soulmate and best friend Rick Casey was called to his heavenly home on February 25th, 2026 at 6:58pm. To myself, family, and friends it is a great loss, but to Jesus and those in heaven, a great gain. Rick was born on July 1st, 1952 in Eugene, Oregon. He always teased me about being a California girl while he was a native Oregonian. Rick's work career was in asphalt paving and operating heavy equipment. He started work at age 17 working for his dad's company Rogue River Paving. All of his career was labor intensive, and long hours. He always said that working in an office was not for him. I met my love in December 1971 at the tender age of 17 and he was 19. It was a "blind date" and Rick always said he regained his site shortly thereafter. We were brought together by my high school friend, Ginny Wood. We were married in Grants Pass Oregon on September 8th, 1973. In 1976 he became a dad to Andrea and in 1979 a dad to Jessica. Their births were overwhelming to him and changed his heart forever in his love for them. There were so many things that I loved about my husband, his self-confidence, sense of humor, love of family, speaking his mind, desire to learn new things (like making bagels). He could fix anything, and was a faithful friend. But, most important was how he showed his love for God and his family. Our relationship with Jesus Christ grew over our married life and impacted the way we lived. Rick absolutely knew that he was saved and heading to the beautiful place God prepared for him and all who accept the gift of eternal life. After his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, he would talk to his caregivers and other patients during chemotherapy to let them know where he was heading at the end of his life. Rick had many hobbies including fishing, hunting, stained glass, metal sculpture, boat building (he built 2), and of course, his love of gardening which became his passion. He would ask me what I wanted to eat and would always plant and grow all those things for me. He also grew two apple trees for me, my favorite fruit. - Betty

My dear sweet papa! It's so hard to put into words the extreme loss I feel of your passing. What I do know with 100% certainty is that you are with the Lord. Your body has been made whole again, you have zero pain anymore, and I know your spirit will always be with me and around me. You were an amazing father. You worked so hard, but always had time for me. I have such fond memories of you and I going hunting and fishing together. You taught me at a young age to row your drift boat down the Rogue River. You wanted to make sure I knew how to do it and get us safely off the river if something were to happen to you. You also taught me to drive up in the mountains when we would hunt with the same knowing that I could get us safely off the mountain in case anything happened to you. You always had a hug to give me when I was sad, or happy for that matter. Oh, and the embarrassing moments when you would call out for me in the grocery store in your Pee Wee Herman voice or wear a toupee around town with the tag sticking out the back. I laugh at this now. You were there when I wanted to get a small block Chevy engine for my truck, and helped coordinate getting that built. I had to take a loan out of the bank to pay for the engine. You wanted to teach me responsibility with paying bills at the age of 17. Your love of gardening was passed along to me many years ago, and I will continue growing a garden every year in honor of you. There is so much more that I can say about growing up, but it would end up being a book. When you got your cancer diagnosis last year, we were all in shock. Being a hospice nurse, I can remember you asking little questions to me last summer about medications we use for our hospice patients. I remember feeling like you wanted to be prepared for when that time came. I promised you that when that time came, I would make sure you had no pain. You had your struggles with chemo, and then a sudden shift happened within your body. I came up to help out on February 19th. Sunday morning February 22nd I knew it was time for hospice. I called that morning and by that evening you were admitted. For the next three days, I kept my promise to you by keeping you comfortable with meds and love. Wednesday evening February 25th your pastor came with his wife to pray for you. We all surrounded you in your hospital bed. About 20 minutes after they left you took your last breath at 6:58 pm. Dad, it was the greatest honor of my life to take care of you, fulfill my promise to you to keep you comfortable and hold your hand the moment you took your last breath. I will always love you and miss you, but I know that every day I wake up will be one day closer until I get to see you again. I know dad would love it for anyone to start their own garden or continue with your own garden. Most of all: share your bounty with people, as that is what dad always did and it gave him great joy to do so.
Always in my heart, -Andrea.

Dad, when I think of you these are the words that best describe you. Hardworking, loving, funny, and faithful. When I was growing up he worked in construction as a heavy equipment operator, and he worked hard. Not just the kind of hard that earns a paycheck, but the kind of hard that builds a life. He believed in providing for his family. He believed that love looked like responsibility. And I never doubted that I was loved and cared for.Some of my favorite memories are from growing up on the Oregon coast. Camping, fishing, crabbing and just the simplicity of spending time together as a family. Those weren't extravagant vacations, but they were rich in the ways that mattered. When we would go camping, "roughing it" as he would say. He would tell the funniest, most elaborate made up stories straight from his imagination. He gave me adventure, and he gave me joy. He had standards. He didn't play around when it came to respect and responsibility. I also knew that behind that tough exterior was a man who loved me more than anything. Looking back now, I understand that his discipline was another form of love. He was building strength in me. He was preparing me for the world. He softened quite a bit as I got older. Many times when he was working out of town he would call just to check in and catch up. And my calls and texts to him never went unanswered. Most of my calls to him was me asking how I could keep my garden alive and what to try to grow next. He wanted to teach me everything he knew about gardening. But if there is one thing that stands out the most, it's how much he loved his grandchildren. He was so proud of each one of them. He celebrated their individuality. He saw who they were and loved them for exactly that. Less than a month before he passed, mom and dad made a special trip out to Colorado to see me, my husband Bryan, and the grandkids. He loved Bryan as if he was his own son. He always made a point to tell him how proud he was of him and that he loved him. Looking back now, that trip feels like a gift. Almost as if he knew how important that time would be. Before he left to head home, he left candy and money on each of the kids' pillows. As if he was to say, "I'm thinking of you. I love you." So when we came home that day, a little piece of him was waiting there for us. That was my dad. Strong hands, storyteller, comedian, and strong in his faith. A man who showed love in steady, tangible ways. I will miss his voice, his stories, his sense of humor, and his unconditional love. But what he built, in his career and in his family, will last. His work ethic lives in me. His humor lives in me. His love and faith absolutely lives in me now more than ever.1 Thessalonians 4:11 "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands." - Jessica

Rick is survived by his wife Betty, 2 daughters, Andrea and Jessica, 2 son-in-law's, 6 grandchildren, his brother, 3 sister-in-law's, a stepmother and stepsister and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life for Rick will be held at community Baptist Church at 91 Thompson Ave in Winston, OR on Saturday May 2nd at 1pm.