Casey Terrence Priest

Casey Terrence Priest Crossed over to be with Jesus on August 17, 2016. Casey was born to Peggy Flanagan-Priest and Terry Priest. He was an instant blessing whose charming smile and appreciation for all things in life began at birth. Big brother Kelly was proud to have a buddy for life, and five years later both Kelly and Casey welcomed little brother Curtis.

Casey went to Merced city schools until fifth-grade, thereafter, graduating from high school at Planada Christian Academy. Casey also attended Merced College where he was an exceptional student and was loved by his teachers and fellow classmates. Anyone who knew him was inspired by his attitude, which was always optimistic. Friends and family considered him to be resilient, dependable, caring and hard working. His parents, siblings, the Flanagan and Priest families will never be the same without Casey, we all are better because of the privilege to be his friend and family.

Casey loved all sports! He could talk about any player on his favorite team, the San Francisco Giants. He loved to antagonize his brothers about how much better they were than the Oakland A's. He was very family oriented and cherished time with his Grandma Bert, who he even inspired to become a Giant's fan! He especially loved going to games; Giants, As, Fresno Grizzlies and Seattle Mariners with his family. During off seasons he provided the inside scoop of who was being traded where and would tell anyone why it was a good or bad trade based on previous year's stats. He was the self-proclaimed money ball manager for both the Giants and the 49ers. He loved the numbers as much as the action during the seasons.

Casey adored his time spent at church, riding his prized horse Jack, playing with the family dogs and hanging out with his best friend and big brother, Kelly. In accordance with Casey's personality he loved to talk trash to his brothers and his favorite line was that, "he was the best looking" brother. He lived for opportunities to travel with Kelly and family across the country and, along with Kelly, was able be co-best man at brother Curt's wedding, to see a NASA space shuttle launch, taste lobsters in Maine, and even entice a dove to eat a french fry from his hand at Mt. Rainier!

Casey was a genuinely good soul, kind and true to anyone he met. He had an infectious smile and never a cross word passed his lips. There were no strangers in his eyes, just potential new friends because everyone he met he truly believed was a good person. His eternal optimism and encouraging words gave him an astounding ability to immediately make friends with anyone he encountered.

Casey went to be with the Lord, joining(Grandfather) Papa Tom Flanagan and grandmother Alice Priest on August 17th, 2016. From heaven, Casey is sending blessings to his parents, Terry and Peggy Flanagan-Priest, brothers Kelly and Curtis, favorite sister-in-law Amanda Carvajal Priest and grandmother Roberta Flanagan and Grandfather Pat Priest. On the Flanagan side, Uncle Dan Flanagan and Aunt Jacki, Aunt Bridget Flanagan Stange and Uncle Roger, Aunt Kay Flanagan-Spinelli and Uncle Steve, Aunt Molly Flanagan Littlefield and Uncle Keith and Uncle Clancy Flanagan and Aunt Lori. Cousins Heather Flanagan East, Matt, Brett and Clintt Spinelli, Ben and Sam Littlefield, Thomas and Patrick Flanagan and great-cousin Declan East. On the Priest side, Aunt Laura Toquero, Aunt Patty and Uncle Jan Schulz, Aunt Kathy and Uncle Pat Noain, and Uncle Kevin and Aunt Pam Priest. Cousins Muriel Rieger, Margot Cooper and Clay Toquero, Amy, Anna and Emily Schulz, Mindy Cole and Allison Oconner and Brian, David and Aaron Priest.

A celebration of Casey's life will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at the Christian Life Center (659 E. Olive, Merced) at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, donations in remembrance of Casey can be sent to:

New Beginnings for Merced County Animals, P.O. Box 1045, Winton, CA 95388 or UCSF Epilepsy Foundation, c/o Dr. Terry Hutchinson and Epilepsy Research, 155 N. Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93701.