John Casey Obituary

John Sears Casey passed away quietly at his home on June 16, 2022.. He was 91 years old. Mr. Casey was born to James Lebus and Winnie Sears Casey in Birmingham, Alabama. The family lived at the family home in Micaville before moving to Heflin in 1936. Mr. Casey attended school in Heflin, and graduated from Cleburne County High School in 1949. He attended Jacksonville State Teachers College, now Jacksonville State University, and graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, in 1953, with a BS degree in Agricultural Administration. He was a member of Phi Kappa Tau social fraternity and the Arnold Air Society, an honorary society in Air Force ROTC. A member of Alabama Polytechnic Air Force ROTC, Mr. Casey received his commission as a 2nd Lt. in the Air Force Reserve prior to entering active duty at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas in 1953. He was stationed at Francis Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, where he completed the Supply Officers Course. It was at this time he contacted Carolyn Pounds, his long-time girlfriend whom he'd known since the first grade, and announced he was getting married the following Saturday and hoped she would be there to be part of the ceremony. She agreed, and boarded a train with his mother to make the long trip from Alabama. They were married on August 1, 1953. He was assigned to the 4050th USAF Hospital at Westover AFB, and the couple moved to Massachusetts. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Casey was discharged from active duty as a 1st Lt. in 1955, and continued to serve in the Air Force Reserve until 1966. Following his discharge from active duty, the couple settled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Mr. Casey attended and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law. He was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1957, and began his practice in Anniston, Alabama, before moving it to Heflin. He practiced in all fields throughout his six decade career, representing people from all walks of life. At the time of his retirement from the practice of law, Mr. Casey was the longest serving assistant district attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit. He was recognized for his fifty-year membership in the Alabama Bar Association in 2007. A long-time dedicated public servant, Mr. Casey was first elected to the Alabama State House of Representatives in 1958, the youngest member of the House to serve at that time. He served multiple terms in the House over the next 25 years. His accomplishments included the first bond issue in support of public schools in Alabama. Cleburne County Elementary School was the first school constructed using proceeds from this bond issue. He was recognized multiple times for his support of public education, and especially teachers, during his political career. He was instrumental in establishing the state's Education Trust Fund using proceeds generated by oil and gas leases along the Gulf Coast. He was a long-time member and ordained Deacon of Heflin and Heritage Baptist Churches, and enjoyed singing with the choir. He was pivotal in opening the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship in Alabama, and championed the preservation of historical Baptist principles through the Mainstream Baptist networking effort. Mr. Casey was preceded in death by his son, John Sears Casey II; his parents; adopted brother Frank Hanvey; and grandson, Jackson Tyler Tucker. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Carolyn Pounds Casey; daughter Lynne Casey Scott (Robin); daughter Leigh Casey Tucker (Ken); and son Patrick Pounds Casey (Beverly); six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The family expresses special appreciation to his long-term caregivers Julia Rollins, Janet Tomlinson, Marie Hudgens, and Karen Hutzell, and the staff of Comfort Care Hospice. Visitation is Monday, June 20, 2022, from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at Dryden Funeral Home in Heflin. Funeral services will follow at 1:00. Pallbearers include Benjamin Casey, Mike Casey, Denton Johnson, Dustan Jones, Clay Tucker, Will Tucker and Myrt Hales. Burial will be at Heflin City Cemetery. visit our website @ www.drydenfuneral home.com