James "Sam" L. Casey

Sergeant Major James ‘Jim’ Leo Casey was born January 2, 1918 in Lewistown, Montana to Ina Ellen and James Arthur Casey. Born shortly after the end of World War I, he was nicknamed Sam. Two years later in 1920, Jim was joined by his younger brother Richard ‘Birdie’ Casey. Jim was raised in Lewistown and attended Fergus County High School where he graduated in 1937. Jim participated in football, basketball and baseball throughout his high school years. This love of sports continued until his last days.

At 18, Jim enlisted in the National Guard. On September 16, 1940 he was called to active duty. He was a member of the 41st Division 163rd Infantry based out of Ft. Lewis, Washington when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Jim, along with his younger brother, spent the next three years in the Pacific Theater where they saw combat in New Guinea and shore leave in Australia.

Jim returned to Montana after the war. He attended the University of Montana in Missoula for three years where he majored in Physical Education. He was married for a short time and his oldest son Jimmy was born in 1946. In 1951, while working as an Army Recruiter in The Dalles, Oregon Jim met Billie Jean Richmond. Jim and Billie were married on February 23, 1952. Joining Jim, Billie and Jimmy was Billie’s daughter Aloha. Shortly after their marriage, Jim received orders and the new family moved to Germany for 2 years.

The family returned to Helena, Montana and in 1955 Nancy was born. Jim was then deployed to Korea. In 1958, Jim moved his family to their current home in Portland. He was an Army Advisor for the National Guard and Army Reserves at the Portland Air Force Base. In 1959, Steve was born. They moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1966 where Jim was stationed at Ft. Richardson. A promotion to Sergeant Major took Jim to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks to become an instructor for the ROTC program. In 1969, they moved to their last post at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. After more than 30 years of service to his country, Jim retired in 1970.

After retiring from the military, Jim worked for the Federal Reserve Bank until his retirement in 1980. In the years following his retirement Jim and Billie loved to travel. They traveled to Hawaii and Switzerland to watch Steve play basketball. They also enjoyed trips to Europe, Tokyo and Hong Kong. Annual trips to Montana for Army reunions were a summer ritual. They also made several memorable journeys across country with their grandchildren and instilled the joy of traveling in them.

Jim enjoyed photography, history, sports, breakfast at Elmer’s and spending time with his family and beloved miniature schnauzer Sammy.

Jim is survived by his wife of 58 years Billie Jean; his sons James ‘Jimmy’ Casey of Aurora, Colorado and Stephen ‘Steve’ Casey of Portland, Oregon; his daughters Aloha Palmer of Portland, Oregon, and Nancy O’Donnell of Troutdale, Oregon; his brother Richard ‘Bird’ Casey of Lewistown, Montana; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.