Ernest F. Casey, Jr. Msg (Ret)

MSG (Ret) Ernest F. Casey, Jr. age 68, resident of Smiths Station, Alabama, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2023 at Columbus Hospice House, Columbus, Georgia.  The family will receive friends at Vance Brooks Funeral Home, 3738 US Hwy 431N, Phenix City, Alabama on Monday, April 17, 2023 from 4-6 p.m. Graveside services will be held at Salisbury National Cemetery, Salisbury, North Carolina on Monday, April 24, 2023.

MSG Casey, son of the late Ernest Francis Casey, Sr. and Voncile Shuffler Hall Casey, was born November 18, 1954 in China Grove, North Carolina. He retired from the U.S. Army where he served his country honorably for over 25 years.  Serving in the Army, he worked many years in chemical weapons. MSG Casey served in Desert Storm, and was stationed at numerous Army installations both overseas and stateside.  During his distinguished military career, he was awarded many medals and ribbons including the Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (5OLC); Army Achievement Medal (4OLC); Army Overseas Service Ribbon w/3 Device; Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia); Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait); and German Schutzenschnur (Weapons Proficiency).

While in Germany, he retired from the U.S. Army and returned to the United States where he worked  at the  Salisbury National Cemetery.  Working at the cemetery,  he felt it was very important to take care of veterans and their families.  He then later moved to the Smiths Station, Alabama, and began a new career with Civil Service, serving as Assistant Inspector General, Fort Benning, Georgia until his final retirement.

MSG Casey was an avid golfer.  He enjoyed taking trips to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for golf outings.  MSG Casey always looked forward to taking trips to Ireland, Folly Beach, South Carolina, New Orleans, Louisiana; St Augustine, Florida; and many other places with his wife.  He enjoyed spending time with his koi pond at home; feeding animals and birds; grilling; watching North Carolina Tar Heels football and basketball; watching rugby; collecting old military memorabilia; and studying military history.  The family remembers him as a man who loved his country immensely, but his greatest love was his family.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Patti Casey and a sister, Fonda Brinkley.  MSG Casey is survived by his wife of 21 years, Charmaine H. Casey; daughter, Nicole Casey O’Rourke and grandchildren, Denzel Casey and Serenity Casey; grandchildren, Celeste and Keshawn; brother, Nathan Hall (Katie Beth); step-daughter, Jamie Marshall (Ashley Smith) and grandchild, Maddox Smith; step-son, Daniel Marshall (Jessica) and grandchildren, Emma and Madeline; cousins, Linda and Chip Miller and their kids, Brandon Linn and Jeff Linn; many other relatives and friends.

Flowers are accepted or contributions can be made to Columbus Hospice at www.columbushospice.com