Jed Casey

Jed Casey, 81 of Puyallup, died at home May 3 after battling an illness for the last three years. He had been a resident of the unincorporated town of Home from 1993 until 2017. He was 81 years old.

Jed was born to George “Jack” Stackley Casey and Dorothy Mildred Copeland in 1939. He was raised in Seattle where he graduated from Ballard High School and the University of Washington. He married Venita “Nikki” in Seattle 1961 before leaving the area to start his military career. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and served honorably in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of captain. He was stationed all over the world during his military career including Spain and numerous locations in Asia, Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, California, Washington D.C., Colorado and Florida. The highlight of his career was as a navigator in squadron VP-69 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, where he met many of his lifelong friends.

Jed retired in 1986. He and his beloved Nikki spent the next 35 years traveling around the world, wintering in their RV in Palm Springs, boating, riding horses, flying model airplanes and enjoying life. Jed and Nikki celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just 11 days before his death. He reminisced about all the wonderful years and experiences they shared together.

Jed was an extremely attentive and loving husband, father, grandfather and devoted friend. He literally called his children, grandchildren and best friends every day, sometimes multiple times a day. He always answered the phone when one of them called him. Jed was a man who would do anything for anyone. He loved to make a difference in people’s lives and had all sorts of free advice to dispense to anyone who looked like they needed it; many people sought him out to get it.

He was a man of integrity and honor. He was principled and always did what he thought was right, even when it was hard. He did not lie, cheat, steal or swear. He was dependable and did what he said he was going to do without fail. He knew how to fix everything and his lawn always looked like a well-manicured golf course. He could fix your car or lawnmower, or at least tell you what was wrong with it by listening to it over the phone. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and friend that anyone could ever ask for. His family is so thankful for all the years they had with him, but will miss him terribly. His legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of all he interacted with.

Jed is survived by his wife Nikki; daughter Lisa and her husband Klaus; daughter Cindy; daughter Holly and her husband Patrick; and the greatest joys of his life, his grandsons Parker, Casey, Lukus and Cody.

There will be no service. He wished to spend eternity among the seas. His ashes will be spread at a later date by his family.