Donald Ray Casselman

On November 20, 2013 Donald Ray Casselman passed away from a broken heart after losing his loving wife of 52 years Barbara Casselman on October 25, 2013. Although Dad was trying to adjust to life without her, the burden of loss was just too great for his heart to take. Dad passed quietly with family by his side.

He was born June 30, 1941 to Clarence and Blanche Casselman of Elkhart, Indiana. In 1958 Dad joined the Army eventually ending up at Fort Lewis where he met his wife Barbara and they were married Nov. 24, 1961. After the Army he worked at Northwest Chair, and then PACCAR. In 1968 he joined the Auburn fire Department until retirement in 1993 after 25 years of service. Dad received many honors from his service as a firefighter; including 1982 firefighter of the year, it was the first year this distinction was awarded in the Auburn Fire Department, He also received the Department’s Medal of Valor, the highest honor given, for exceptional performance and bravery at a high risk incident. Dad was the union president for local 1352, when he became an officer he was respectfully known as “a firefighter’s Captain”.

Dad was a Graduate of Lincoln High School in Tacoma, received his AA from Green River Community College, graduated from the National Fire Academy and was certified for Arson investigations by the Seattle Police Academy. He enjoyed golfing, NASCAR, camping and activities with kids and grandkids.

He is survived by his daughter’s Tiffany Webster, Jennifer (Brian) Flora, son Dave (Lisa) Casselman and his sister Waneta Baltimore of Elkhart, Ind. He is also survived by grandchildren that he proudly referred to as his “magnificent seven” Trever Flora, Nicholas Webster, Jesseca Flora, Jerod (Becky) Webster, Derren (Natalie) Okada-Flora, Chelsea Webster, Gabe Casselman, and great granddaughter Elayna Flora

Services are at Price-Helton Funeral Home 702 Auburn Way N, Auburn, WA. Viewing is Monday December 2 starting at 10 am followed by the Funeral Service at 11 am, concluding with the graveside at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn at 1 pm. Online condolences may be made at www.price-heltonfuneralhome.com .