Donald Lawrence Caskey

Donald Lawrence Caskey, 82, long-time resident of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully into the eternal care of his Lord and Savior on April 18th, 2012, surrounded by the love of family and friends in his Yorktown home. He was born July 25th, 1929 to the late James Abram and Nettie Whitaker Caskey and was raised on a farm near Gregory, Michigan. He was the widower of Anne Morrell Caskey.

Don graduated from Michigan's Stockbridge High School in 1947 and soon reported to the NROTC program at the University of Mississippi. He graduated from Ole Miss in 1951 with a degree in Business Administration and embarked on a distinguished career in the Navy. He met his wife, Anne, Memorial Day Weekend 1953 while spending a few days between orders in Virginia Beach. They married three months later and over the years were stationed in California, Hawaii, and Virginia with their ever-growing family. Don attended night school and earned a master's degree in Administration and Personnel Management from George Washington University in 1970. He retired as Commander of the Norfolk, VA Naval Amphibious Base in 1971. He began a second career in sales and business working for various companies before founding Coastal Homes Incorporated in 1987, for which he continued to work until his passing.

Don was a lifetime participant in and fan of numerous sports. He was physically active, enjoying golf, bike rides, and walks well into the latter part of his life. He loved people and was widely admired for his easygoing charm, kindness, optimism, and sense of humor.

Don is survived by his ten children and their families: Gerald and wife Lynn of Palm Springs, CA, Bruce and wife Christine of Fulshear, TX, Susan Kuykendall and husband Jim of Seaford, VA, Nancy and husband Peter Graffagnino of San Francisco, CA, Carol Rastelli and husband Ernie of Virginia Beach, VA, Kathryn Henderson and husband Michael of Westerville, OH, Laura Pope and husband Ted of Morgonton, NC, Sandra and husband Randy Schanze of New Port Richey, FL, Sharon Michele of Norfolk, VA, and Donna Lynn of Ventura, CA. In addition to being a cherished father, he was a much beloved "PaPa" and "Great PaPa" to over twenty grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Wilma Kingsley of East Lansing, Michigan, Eleanor Sevilla of Canoga Park, CA, and Joan Corser and husband Fred of Auburndale, FL, and by his business partner and longtime friend Bobbie Bass of Yorktown, VA.

The family would like to thank all of those who bestowed kindness and care upon Don over the course of his illness, which he faced with dignity, grace, strength, and humor until the end. He remains an inspiration to those who had the honor to know him and to love him. He will be greatly missed.

A visitation will be held Sunday, April 22, from 3-5pm in Woodlawn Funeral Home, 6329 E. Virginia Beach Blvd. Norfolk. A service will take place Monday, April 23, at 12pm in Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel, and where full Navy Honors will be rendered in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Condolences may be offered to the family online at woodlawngroup.com