Charles D. Cason

January 27, 1939 - July 25, 2013

Native San Diegan born at Mercy Hospital on January 27, 1939 to Clarence and Alberta Cason. He was named for Charles F. Buddy, first Catholic Bishop of San Diego. The Bishop brought his parents to San Diego from St. Joseph, MO in 1937 to work for him until they retired from the Diocese. Chuck courageously battled COPD 11 years and cancer 6 years, but lost his battle, passing at Grossmont Hospital on July 25, 2013 at 12:44 p.m. embraced by his wife and surrounded by family and friends.

He loved and cherished his family, friends and pets. He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Darlene (Pierceall), loving daughters, Cheri Cason and Cynthia Falk (C.T. Falk, son-in-law) and four greatly treasured grandsons, Ti Cason-Davis, Justin Falk, Hunter Falk and Mitchell Falk. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, brother, C.L. and sister, Janice.

He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School, Wilson Junior High and Hoover High School. He met Darlene at her 16th birthday party given by her parents in 1955. Soon they became high school sweethearts. He joined the United States Air Force and served honorably for 8 years being discharged as a Staff Sergeant. He served in Delaware and Maine. When he was stationed at Marysville, CA, Darlene had graduated from SDSU and taught elementary school for a year. He then proposed and they were married on July 28, 1962 by Bishop Charles F. Buddy at the Immaculate Catholic Church on the campus of the University of San Diego. After living in Marysville for a few months, they were stationed at Cold Lake, Alberta (Cheri's birthplace) and Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His last base was Castle AFB in Merced, CA, Cynthia's birthplace.

He graduated from Grossmont College after serving in the military. Most of his career was in finance and insurance. He opened a bicycle shop in San Carlos, The Bike Pedal'r, from 1975 to 1980 which he thoroughly enjoyed. During this time he was the founding President of the San Carlos Optimist Club and participated in many bike rodeos with the SDPD at elementary schools in San Carlos and Del Cerro. He checked student’s bicycles to ensure the bikes were safe and adjusted them to each student. He received a PTA Honorary Lifetime Award for his dedication to students from Dailard Elementary School's PTA in 1978.

He loved the beach, mountains and deserts of California. For many years his family and friends tent camped in these locations. Then in the late 90s they bought an RV for comfort and many more adventures. A favorite trip was taking the three oldest grandsons to Yosemite. He also loved attending his grandsons many events and activities. They enjoyed many trips with friends to California's wine country, the East Coast and Europe. In 2002 they bought a beautiful space at Palm Springs Outdoor Resort and Country Club in Cathedral City. Wonderful times were spent with new and old friends and participating in many activities in the 1200 space resort. They also enjoyed sunsets on the deck of their beach house south of Rosarito and playing cards and games with friends of more than 60 years. In retirement cruising was a great way to travel with his oxygen equipment visiting the Pacific Coast, Alaska, Hawaii, the Riviera of Mexico several times and crossing the Atlantic Ocean to visit countries around the Mediterranean. He was thrilled with their 50th Wedding Anniversary party in July 2012. He was very fond of his friends in Grossmont Hospital's Pulmonary Exercise program, enjoyed get-togethers and luncheons on the last Tuesday of each month for over 10 years.

He will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. We will miss his integrity, honesty, smile, special wink, teasing and joking (Is he telling the truth or pulling our leg?) and so much more.

A Mass and Celebration of his Life will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 2766 Navajo Road, El Cajon, CA 92020, Friday, August 30 at 11 a.m. with a reception afterward at Maloney Hall. Inurnment will be at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery on September 9th. In lieu of flowers, donations to your favorite charity are suggested.

Please sign the Guest Book online here or at obituaries.utsandiego.com

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.

Eternal rest grant unto Charles O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

May he soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

II Timothy 4:7-8