Edward E. Case, Jr.
Burial Details
Obituaries
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 5B - January 9, 2012
Edward E. Case, Jr., 79,
Arvada, died Jan. 4, 2012.
Services will take place at 11
a.m. Jan. 22 at Rifl e Cemetery.
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel page 6A - January 19, 2012
Edward E. Case, Jr., age 79, of Arvada passed from this life on
January 4th at home, surrounded by loved ones, following a long
and courageous battle with COPD.
Edward Everett Case, Jr. was born on a ranch near Craig, Colorado
on February 25, 1932 to parents, Edward Everett Case and
Lena Mae Miller. Though weighing only four pounds at birth, he defied
the attending doctor's grim expectations and kicked into childhood
with fits and starts in a style most befitting Ed.
The Depression years were challenging, sometimes taking the
family on the road in search of suitable work. The Cases eventually
settled and Ed grew up with siblings, Barbara, Billy, Jimmy, Phyllis,
and Beverly on the Western Slope. They found joyful moments
during those tough years, however, and close cousins, Marcey and
Bud Bordeaux, were often in the mix. Ed's boyhood antics, which he
recounted with relish, would often rouse his family and community
to levels of prayerful astonishment and a warm backside for Ed and
his companions.
Ed attended Rifle High School where he excelled in history and ran
on the high school track team. He discovered a myriad of interests in
childhood which he found pleasure in over his lifetime. These included
reading, skiing, shooting guns, and tearing things apart to see
how they worked to include an Indian motorcycle he and friend,
Nick, were asked to look after during WWII. Ed continued to pursue
his interest in all things historical, mechanical, and sometimes
just this side of maniacal, finally selling his motorcycle after his
75th birthday.
Ed experienced a rich diversity in occupations as a ranch hand,
miner, construction worker, mechanic, and mental health worker-- to
name a few. Always quick with a solution and capable handiwork,
Ed not only flourished in many capacities for Mercedes Benz nationwide,
but in later years used his skills volunteering at the Shelter
for Battered Women and was known among friends and neighbors
as someone ready to lend a hand. His talents went beyond
simple fixes and he spent countless hours crafting wooden sleds and
airplanes by hand for gifts.
Years after high school, Ed decided to complete a degree in mental
health leading to employment at Laradon Hall in Denver and gained
a wealth of knowledge and experience. He later set off for North
Africa and a two year stint with the Peace Corps where he worked
with mentally challenged children in Sfax, Tunisia. He had
marvelous success with the kids, but again raised prayerful
astonishment among family and community during the Tunisian
Bread Riots of 1984. Ed was of singular mind when he set out to do
a thing, and at times tried the patience of young Tunisian soldiers
after curfew.
Ed raised four children, Mike, Susan (Jim), Janice (Robert) and Jill
(Marc). He taught his children to be self-reliant, well-read, and
curious, but to avoid warm backsides if possible. Ed was of the mind
that some lessons were best learned by example and not first-hand.
He cherished time spent with grandchildren, Sarah, Tyler, Chad,
Gavin, Hannah, and David and learning about their interests, efforts
and accomplishments.
Over the years, Ed and his wife, Karen, have enjoyed many activities
together to include a voracious love of books, travel, and sharing
much of their time and many interests with Karen's daughter, Anne
(Mark), son, Paul (Ana), and grandchildren Brock, Case, Ethan, and
Kaic. As, Papa, Ed loved to share with them his wisdom and his
stories. He felt very fortunate to watch them grow and often
expressed pride in their development and character.
Ed's family brought great joy to his life. As a grandfather to many,
he was blessed to frequently have young protégés about to mentor in
the merits of a well-made tool, a proper cup of coffee, and the
perfect intonation for choice words inspired by unfortunate events.
The world is a better place for Ed having lived well and on his own
terms. He was well-loved and will be missed with heavy hearts by
his many family members and friends.
Ed was predeceased by his parents, Edward and Lena Case; sister,
Beverly, and sons, Edward and Michael.
Anyone wishing to make a donation in Ed's memory might
consider the Namaste Comfort Fund at: Namaste Hospice, 1633
Fillmore Street Suite 300, Denver, CO 80206.
Graveside service to be held at 11:00 a.m. January 22 at Rose Hill
Cemetery in Rifle, CO.
