Ron Casey, a former Jefferson County commissioner and representative of southern Jefferson County in the state House of Representatives, died early Sunday morning (Feb. 16).
He was 61.
His brother, Rick, said Mr. Casey died from complications suffered during a fall from a stair inside a relative’s home on Thursday afternoon.
Rick Casey said Mr. Casey fell and landed on his head on a concrete floor. He was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City, then airlifted to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur.
His brother said doctors told the family early Saturday afternoon that Mr. Casey’s condition had worsened and that his condition was “grave.”
By early evening, he said, doctors informed the family that his condition was “irreversible.”
He said Mr. Casey died at 5:07 a.m. at Mercy Hospital St. Louis.
Visitation for Mr. Casey has been scheduled for 2-8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, at Second Baptist Church of Festus, 723 Horine Road.
Visitation also will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Second Baptist Church, followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m.
The family requests memorials to Living Spring Camp, P.O. Box 88, Festus.
Arrangements are by Vinyard Funeral Home, Festus.
Mr. Casey was born Nov. 27, 1952, in Dayton, Texas, the son of the late Rev. Gene and Joyce Casey.
He is survived by a sister: Jan Roberts, of Atlanta; an older brother: Randy Casey of Crystal City; and two younger brothers: Rick Casey of Festus; and Rod Casey of Columbia, Mo.; and by several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Casey, who lived in Crystal City, was a 1971 graduate of Festus High School. He was elected to four two-year terms in the Missouri House of Representatives, from 2004-2012, representing southeast Jefferson County. Before that, he served 12 years on the Jefferson County Commission, which at the time was the county’s legislative body. He worked for more than 22 years in Jefferson County government, including jobs in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office.
With his family, he owned the My Place residential facilities in Festus and De Soto. Among his many community activities, he was a member of the board of directors for the Quad Cities Senior Center, a member of the Festus-Crystal City Kiwanis Club, Festus-Crystal City Lions Club, University of Missouri Extension Council, the Quad Cities Senior Citizens Center Board, the Twin City Area Chamber of Commerce, the Jefferson County Park Board and the Rock Creek Public Sewer District.
He also was a deacon at Second Baptist Church in Festus.
Rick Casey spoke about his brother’s selfless acts on behalf of others.
“A couple of weeks ago, I asked him where he was going and he said he was taking a meal to a homeless man who lived under a bridge. He said he took him something to eat every day, and that he was hoping to be able to share Christ with him at some point.
“I thought about that this morning,” Rick Casey said on Sunday. “Who’s going to take that man food now?”
“You know, there was a statue in France in a church courtyard that after World War II was damaged because of the war. The hands and feet were missing. The people there were trying to figure out what to do with it, but they eventually put a sign on it: ‘I have no hands but your hands. I have no feet but your feet.’
“I kind of feel like my brother was, in some ways, the hands and feet of people in Jefferson County. He loved other people. He was equally comfortable with princes and paupers. You know, he never talked to anyone like he was better than them, but at the same time, he was very comfortable talking with governors.”
Jefferson County Executive Ken Waller issued a statement on behalf of county government: “We appreciate the service that Ron gave the county over 22 years. He was a true public servant and a consummate professional with a commitment to helping all of his constituents. He will be sorely missed by his family and many friends. Our prayers are with his family.”
Waller said he personally was close to Mr. Casey.
“He was the best friend a guy could ever have,” he said. “He mentored me over the years to help make me a true public servant. He taught me that the most important things in my life were to maintain my integrity and character and to have a strong relationship with Jesus Christ. I will miss him.”
See the Feb. 20 edition of the Leader for more on Mr. Casey’s life.