A Celebration of Life was held Saturday at a Sonora residence for Jerry Lee Casey of Columbia. He died April 3, 2008 at Sonora Regional Medical Center in Sonora.
Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Monterey and raised in Turlock, Mr. Casey lived in and around Columbia for over 35 years. He managed Columbia's St. Charles Saloon from 1980 to 1986 and worked on Tuolumne County road crews from 1989 to 1996. He and his wife JoAnne together founded some of Columbia's most popular events-the Fiddle and "Bango' contest and Poison Oak Show. Both have been inspiring locals and entertaining tourists for more than 20 years. Since the mid-1990s Jerry has been best known for his metal sculptures that he created from scrap metal. His work is featured in galleries from Tuolumne County to Santa Cruz and beyond.
He leaves behind his wife, JoAnne Fortuna Casey of Columbia; his daughter, Lee Ann Fleming of Santa Barbara; grandchildren Casey, Bridget and Gillian Fleming; three sisters, Jackie Terry of Turlock, Judy Smith of Sonora and Kaye Hansen of Hemet; three brothers Jim Casey of Ceres, Jay B. Casey Jr., John Casey, all of Turlock. He was preceded in death by brother Joe Casey, and his parents, J.B. and Louise Casey.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /April 16, 2008
Terzich and Wilson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Born in Monterey and raised in Turlock, Mr. Casey lived in and around Columbia for over 35 years. He managed Columbia's St. Charles Saloon from 1980 to 1986 and worked on Tuolumne County road crews from 1989 to 1996. He and his wife JoAnne together founded some of Columbia's most popular events-the Fiddle and "Bango' contest and Poison Oak Show. Both have been inspiring locals and entertaining tourists for more than 20 years. Since the mid-1990s Jerry has been best known for his metal sculptures that he created from scrap metal. His work is featured in galleries from Tuolumne County to Santa Cruz and beyond.
He leaves behind his wife, JoAnne Fortuna Casey of Columbia; his daughter, Lee Ann Fleming of Santa Barbara; grandchildren Casey, Bridget and Gillian Fleming; three sisters, Jackie Terry of Turlock, Judy Smith of Sonora and Kaye Hansen of Hemet; three brothers Jim Casey of Ceres, Jay B. Casey Jr., John Casey, all of Turlock. He was preceded in death by brother Joe Casey, and his parents, J.B. and Louise Casey.
-Ceres (Calif.) Courier /April 16, 2008
