Patrick Michael Casey

Patrick Michael Casey of Waterford, CA passed peacefully, with his children and grandchildren at his side, on September 29, 2025. Pat was born June 19, 1941 to Dan and Ilean Casey and grew up with his brothers and sister in Waterford, surrounded by many aunts, uncles and cousins over the years. Pat contracted Polio at the age of 2 and was lucky to scrape through with the most damage being to his left leg. He worked hard through years of therapy and time on crutches and on a car creeper until he was finally able to get a leg brace. Nothing in life slowed Pat down after that. He learned to drive a team of mules on a jerk line from his father and a family friend to farm, he helped drive teams of horses both for farming and on the Sonoma Trail Rides. He farmed in Nevada and packed mules for Kennedy Meadows, Carrick Corrals and Mather Pack Station for years. He cowboyed for many ranchers when he could. Then he met the girl of his dreams. Pat met Joan Thompson, the love of his life, at an Oakdale Rodeo dance through a mutual friend and that was it for him. They married on December 9, 1967 and raised five children. Pat began working for Waterford Irrigation District and then later Modesto Irrigation District when it took over the Waterford area. He worked as a ditch-tender for over 30 years and continued to farm and raise cattle. He and the family raised sweet corn for many years, selling it at Farmer’s Markets in Modesto, Ceres and Turlock. Pat served on the Waterford School Board for 12 years and belonged to the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Hughson, CA. He and Joan were very involved with St. Anthony’s for many years. Pat was always involved in community events and activities in Waterford. He continued to enjoy driving teams of horses and became involved with the Stanislaus County Draft Horse Association. He taught his kids to drive a team and single horses on a cart. He competed in the Draft Horse pull and helped his children compete in some driving classes. He loved sharing his knowledge with his children and others as he took horses to the Stanislaus County Fair. Pat was a character, living larger than life and with a love for storytelling. He lost his beloved wife in July of 2010 and that definitely took its toll on him. As life became more and more physically challenging, he spend his days quietly at home helped and supported by his son Neil and all of Neil’s family and his daughter, Meagan, when she could be here from Wyoming and his daughter Mary when she could be here from Las Vegas. He enjoyed the company and support of many wonderful friends and neighbors as well. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Ilean, his brothers: Ted, Dan, and Joe and his sister, Louise, his wife Joan and son Timothy. He is survived by his children Meagan (Marshal) Thomasson of Meeteetse, Wy, Neil (Sandi) Casey of Oakdale, CA and Mary Casey of Las Vegas, NV. His grandchildren: Ethan, William and Trey Thomasson, Breanna and Paige Morgan, Alan and Jaylynn Casey, and Donna and Katherine Casey and many nieces and nephews. A rosary will take place on Thursday, October 9 at 6:00 p.m. at Turlock Funeral Home and a funeral mass on Friday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anthoy’s Catholic Church in Hughson. Burial will be at Turlock Memorial Park following the mass. A reception is planned to follow the burial at St. Anthony’s Family Center at approximately 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or to Shriner’s in his name, as children with orthopedic issues have always been near and dear to Pat’s heart.

Tributes

Patrick Michael Casey

June 19, 1941 - September 29, 2025