Gary Dean Casey passed away peacefully in Scottsdale, Arizona on February 15, 2025, surrounded by love and comfort. He was born in Hutchinson, Kansas on December 28, 1936, to Henry (Hank) and Marie Casey. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1955 where he competed in football, basketball and track, and received regional All-State honors in football. He continued his athletic accomplishments at Hutchinson Community College with a scholarship in basketball and track. He was awarded a scholarship in 1957 to Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas in basketball and track and field (high jump and pole vault).
When he was a senior, the Fort Hays basketball team took 4th place in the 1959 NAIA National Basketball Tournament and earned him second team tournament honors as well as honorable mention in the Associated Press little All-American team. As a result, he was chosen to play in an exhibition game with the Cleveland Pipers against the Denver Truckers in Cleveland, Ohio. He was offered a contract to play professionally, but chose to return to Kansas and coach as he had planned. He coached one year at Hays High School, one year at Ellsworth High School and two years at Hutchinson High School before beginning what would become a 37-year sales career with Jostens Class Ring and school products company. This job returned him to Hays, Kansas where he remained until his retirement in 1999.
Words that friends and family use in describing him were: "hardworking, kind, generous and a loving man. He loved his wife and family more than anything on this earth. He was selfless, loyal and caring, and delighted in spoiling his two granddaughters". Words that one of his many school administrators echoed on his retirement: "Your commitment to schools and students has been unequaled - for that matter - UNCHALLENGED! We'll miss you around here". Words from a Jostens executive on his retirement: “You are a ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ kind of guy for your clients and for Jostens. Wish we could run you through a Xerox machine and get 50 duplicates to plant in territories across the land!"
‘Casey’ and his wife Guyneth (Overeem) Casey were high school sweethearts having met as sophomores at Hutchinson High School. After graduating in 1955, they were married and celebrated 69 years of marriage in 2024, and hoped to make it to 70. Their daughter, Donna, was born in 1956 and their son, Roger, in 1961. After moving back to Hays in 1963, the Caseys joined Smoky Hill Country Club where golf became a major part of all of their lives. They also spent many weekends at their cabin at Cedar Bluff Reservoir relaxing, boating and fishing. On retirement in 1999, Casey and Guyneth moved to a golf course community in Tonto Verde, Arizona next to the Tonto National Forest and nestled up to the Verde River where he lived for over 25 years. His love for his wife, his family, his friends, golf and the Arizona Diamondbacks were his life.
He is survived by his brother Al (Denver, CO), his loving wife of 69 years Guyneth (Tonto Verde, AZ), daughter Donna (Mike Friedman, Boulder, CO), son Roger (Becky, Mission Viejo, CA), grandchildren Taylor (Daniel Umanzio, Indio, CA), Tara (Michael Olympius, San Dimas, CA) and two great-grandchildren, Cade 2, son of Taylor and Daniel and Elliott Rae 1, daughter of Tara and Michael.
A private celebration of his life is planned by the family at a future date. A scholarship fund is being set up in his name at Fort Hays State University. Please direct donations to:
Gary Dean Casey Memorial Basketball Scholarship
Fort Hays State University Foundation
PO Box 1060
Hays, KS 67601
or, foundation.fhsu.edu/donate