Gerald Casares

Gerald was born in Yuma, Arizona, according to his birth certificate. However, as many know, Gerald always had a story! One of his favorite stories was that Yuma was not his original birth location, he was born in Mexico. He loved to tell us that he was secretly carried across the border in a bag, by his mother, shortly after he was born. As a child, he grew up in the Black Hill area, on the Naked City side of town, and in San Luis, Mexico. He loved sharing childhood memories of growing up with his mom Socorro, brothers, and sister. He also loved his step-dad “Medina” and was grateful for him. Gerald often talked about how much fun he had as a kid. He was grateful for the life he had and never once complained about what he did not have while growing up. As a child, he loved getting dirty and exploring. You could find him playing baseball, sandlot style. He enjoyed climbing and playing on Black Hill and sliding down on cardboard boxes and sometimes using car hoods. He also loved to walk on the railroad tracks with his siblings and friends. He always talked about how much “dangerous” fun he had growing up.

At the age of 13, Gerald went to the Yuma Theatre and experienced his first musical film, A Hard Day’s Night, and he still has the original poster that was handed out that night. His love for the Beatles began early on and he was one of the biggest Beatle fans . Gerald was known as the 5th Beatle to his family and friends. John, Paul, Ringo, George, and of course we can’t forget, Gerald!

During summer breaks from school, he would go live in San Luis, Mexico with his Nana and Tata. Some of his favorite childhood memories in Mexico were of him and his siblings walking to the little tiendita at the end of the block to buy whatever it was his Nana and Tata needed at the time. He also would find small jobs to earn a little extra cash to make sure there was food on the table. He loved catching up and talking about life with his Tata and hanging out with his tios, tias, and primos.

Gerald attended Roosevelt Elementary School, O.L. Carlisle School in Somerton, Mary E. Post Elementary, and Fourth Avenue Jr. High. He went on to become a proud Yuma Criminal. After graduating from Yuma High School in 1969, Gerald was unsure what he wanted to do with his life.

One night in December 1970, he went to a wedding with his buddy Gilbert Garcia. On this night, he laid his eyes on Rose Anne Garcia. Rose Anne, his darlin’, would change his life forever. He loved telling the story of how he asked Gilbert, “who’s the girl serving cake” and Gilbert quickly telling him to “leave my niece, Rose Anne, alone.” Soon after, Rose Anne’s mom, Mary Helen, asked him to be in her daughter’s quincenera. Gerald did not hesitate and happily said yes. If you ever had the pleasure of hearing Gerald’s version of how he met his darlin’, you would see the love flash before his eyes all over again.

Shortly after their meeting, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the USS John R. Craig as an Electrician from October 1971- October 1975. During this time he lived in San Diego and later on he would often tell us stories of his time in the Navy and San Diego. When he would come home for a visit, he would pick up his darlin’ after school in his beloved 1967 Chevy Camaro. Gerald and Rose Anne married on October 5, 1974, while he was stationed in San Diego. He worked for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1975 as a Ditch Rider until his retirement as a Contract Specialist in 2011.

Gerald attended almost every softball game for his daughters and almost every baseball game for his grandsons. Gerald was a dedicated member of the Vietnam Veterans of America for 21 years. He enjoyed participating in color guard ceremonies for various events throughout Yuma County. He loved going to Picacho, playing men’s and co-ed softball, BBQ’ing, fishing, and playing solitaire on his iPad. He also enjoyed taking his truck for a “spin”, taking pictures, going to Disneyland, and drinking a cold beer but with only a “3 beer limit.” Music was his life and he would spend many hours listening to his music with his headphones on. However, he loved drinking a cold beer and listening to the “oldies” and sharing his stories about old times with Jason. Gerald loved watching JAG, Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, Alarma TV and seeing what the weather forecasters girls were wearing on Despierta America (wink wink). Gerald LOVED Facebook! He enjoyed posting jokes and pictures. However, many loved his pictures of Yuma and his knowledge of the history of Yuma. Gerald loved dining out at El Charro, Las Herreraduras, The Landing, and Burgers & Beer. He enjoyed seeing all of his favorite waitresses while dining out. Gerald also enjoyed recording cassette tapes and CD’s.

Gerald was known by his extended family as Lalo. Rose Anne called him darlin’, GC, hunnito, and Moose. His children/grandchildren called him Pops, Poppa Bear, Pappy, Daddy-O, Apa, Dog (and Beth), Tata, Uber Tata, Tata Gerald, and Tata G. Gerald had nicknames for all his girls: Lisa was Kika and Joker, Leslie was Googie, and Lilia was Pumpkin and Chinga-da-marde.

Gerald loved his family. However, he was so proud to be promoted to Tata in February 2004 and again in May 2008. Tata G loved his grandsons and would do anything for them. After retiring from the Bureau of Reclamation in 2011, his new life began and he was promoted to the best job he could ever ask for. He loved his job so much and his last Uber pick up was for Jason Kyle on November 16. He loved taking his Jakey Boy to eat at Brownies, McDonald’s, visits to the green and blue parks, visiting the trains, river, and taking drives around Yuma. He went on to have four angel grandbabies: Haven, Dominic, Lennon, and Layla.

We will miss seeing him watch TV with his eyes closed, hearing his belly laughs, seeing him come out of the bedroom with his pajama pants up to his neck, and hearing him say “what’s for dinner, darlin?” We will miss those beautiful green eyes. Our hearts are broken but he left us some of the most beautiful memories to cherish for the rest of our lives.

Gerald was preceded in death by his mom Socorro Acosta, brother John Casares, father John J. Casares, and step-dad “Medina.” Grandparents Jose and Francisca Casares and Francisco and Mercedes Acosta.

Pallbearers: Roy Arvizu, Joshua Aguilar, Jojo (Joe) Casares, Tyler Moreno, Chris Bouts, Jason Magdaleno, Joey Rojas, and Joel Bocio

Honorary pallbearers: Jason Kyle Magdaleno, Jake Magdaleno, Johnny Casares, Henry Casares, Jesse Casares, Luis Martinez,

Alex Marquez, Gabby Ybarra, Bob Moreno, and Nick Herrera

We are grateful for each and every person who has reached out to us during this time. We thank you for the gifts, flowers, texts, phone calls, and visits (with masks). Although we believe that Gerald deserves to have a big and beautiful reception, we have decided that we cannot risk another life. You are important to us and we have decided that we will celebrate his life sometime in the future. Please continue to wear a mask and social distance.