James "Jim" A. Casey

Jim Casey, 85, of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019 at home.  He was born June 24, 1933, in Chicago but was raised in Springfield, Illinois, with 6 brothers and 2 sisters by parents Thomas and Mary Kathryn Casey.  Jim attended Blessed Sacrament grade school, Cathedral Boys High School and Springfield Junior College before being drafted by the Army and serving for two years at Fort Bliss, Texas.  In 1959, after being Honorably Discharged from the Army, Jim earned a Bachelors of Science from the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.  He then started his career with the John I. Hay Co. while earning an ICC Practitioners License from the College of Advanced Traffic in Chicago, Illinois.  In 1963, Jim moved to Joliet, Illinois, working for Mechling Barge Lines.  In 1965, he transferred to New Orleans, Louisiana, and then to Houston, Texas, in 1973.  After working for Mechling for 15 years, Jim started his own company, Texas Seatrade Corporation, a marine brokerage business.  Jim worked as a marine broker until he was 76 years old and had a very successful 50 year career.

Jim's pride and joy was his family.  He married Elizabeth "Betty" Stapleton from New Berlin, Illinois, in 1958, and they raised 4 children as they made their way south. The family grew over time eventually making Jim the proud Grandpa of 10 grandchildren which were the joy of his life.  He was the number one fan of each grandchild as they continued to succeed both athletically and scholastically.  Jim was a life-long golfer, a hobby  which he shared with family and friends.  We are going to miss Jim's engaging personality and enthusiasm for his favorite sports teams Georgetown Hoyas as well as the Houston Astros, Rockets and Texans.

Survivors include his wife Elizabeth (Betty) S. Casey of The Woodlands Texas; four children: Carol (Tom) Ruffer, The Woodlands, Texas; Timothy (Nancy) Casey, Hillsborough, New Jersey; Daniel (Andreina) Casey, Singapore; Bernard (Meghan) Casey, The Woodlands, Texas; and grandchildren:  Chris, Katie (Elliott) Gabriel and Patrick Ruffer; Darby, Travis and Jack Casey; Joe and Leo Casey; and Aidan and Finn Casey.  Also survived by his sister Anne Marie Cody, St. Louis, Missouri; sister-in-laws Catherine Casey, Margaret Casey and Gail Casey; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by parents Thomas and Mary Kathryn Casey, 6 brothers:  Fr. Thomas S.J., Robert, Edward, Bernard, John, Richard and his sister Margret Hindman.

Throughout his life, Jim Casey, was active in giving of his time to many service organizations.  There were two organizations that were particularly dear to him; volunteer participation in medical trial work through the Baylor College of Medicine and giving of his time to the Bread Food Pantry at Saint Anthony of Padua Church in The Woodlands, Texas.  In lieu of flowers, we would like to offer the opportunity to give to the following foundations in memory of Jim.