James Thomas Casale

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.tridentsociety.com/location/walnut-creek-ca for the Casale family.

James “Jim” T. Casale

James “Jim” T. Casale, 91, of Danville, CA, passed away

peacefully on Monday, September 4, 2023. Born in Cleveland,

Ohio, he was the son of the late James and Clara (Bonacci)

Casale. He is survived by Betty (Eckardt), his beloved and

beautiful wife of 71 years; his 7 children: Jeff, Claudia (Don)

Garcia, Chris (Christina), Katy (Mark) Collins, Lisa (Terry)

Pickett, Vincent, Paul (Shelly); 14 dearly loved grandchildren:

Becky (Casale) Akers, Sarah (Casale) Glatzel, Erin (Garcia)

Ekstrum, Chris Garcia, Ashley (Casale) Rettie, James Casale,

Adam Collins, Annie Collins, David Collins, Samantha (Pickett)

Orr, Kenny Pickett, Elena Casale, Jake Casale and Jonah

Casale; and 17 adored great-grandchildren. He is additionally

survived by his loving younger sister, Mary Ann Weathers and

his two nephews, Matthew and Jason Weathers. He is

predeceased by his older brother Ralph and his older sister

Marge.

Jim’s parents moved to Oakland, CA when he was 12

years old so his father could go into the bar business with his

brother Don. They ran the Lucky 13 bar on MacArthur Blvd in

Oakland. Jim and Betty met and started dating at Castlemont High School, he the football

player and she the cheerleader. Jim gave up his football scholarship at USF at the age of 19 to

help in the family business after his Dad died unexpectedly. One year later in 1952 he and Betty

were married and soon began their rapidly growing family while maintaining a modest

residence behind the bar. Jim recounted memories of that time fondly despite the family's

limited space. Jim continued running the bar business with his brother and expanded it to 4

locations over the next 10 years. They raised all 7 children in Oakland, beginning on MacArthur

Blvd in that tiny little apartment, then purchasing their first home on El Camile Ave off of 55th

Ave, and later moving to Maydon Ct to accommodate their large family.

In the early 1960s Jim, ever the entrepreneur, decided to make a change and left the

bar business and embarked on a successful career in Real Estate selling property in the Sierra

foothills. In the late 1960s he compounded that success with Casale Development. He built

several apartment complexes in Oakland: one on Palm Ave and three at 51st and Broadway. In

1979 he purchased several lots in Blackhawk’s Hidden Oak residential subdivision and

developed several beautiful homes, one of which he and his family moved into in 1981, thus

beginning life in Danville. Jim purchased a plat of 20 lots within the Blackhawk Country Club

subdivision and developed each one into beautifully designed architectural and landscaped

homes with an unparalleled eye to detail. His craftsmanship continues to set a standard for

building and established a legacy of creativity his children have inherited and maintained. He

completed one last development of a plat on Camino Tassajara and Tassajara Lane in the late

2000s before fully retiring.

Jim found joy in complimenting and spending time with his lovely wife, cheering for his

favorite sports teams, and tending to his garden ensuring every detail was perfect. Golfing,

helping his kids with home improvement projects, and attending games and events for his

grandchildren were among his favorite activities, as long as he was physically able to do so.

His 14 grandchildren all feel confident in their status as his “favorite,” reflecting the unique

interest and special care he’s shown to each of them throughout their lives. Jim was known to

make friendly conversation with anyone he met, briefly or in depth, and had a special gift of

meaningful connection with others. His laugh was genuine, always accompanied by Betty

laughing alongside him, and playfully arguing over who had the details of a past memory

correct. He enjoyed good food, mostly Betty’s, and the chaotic hustle and bustle of his family

gathering around him in celebration of holidays and birthdays.

Jim submitted his life to Jesus and accepted Him as his Lord and Savior in 1988. He

and Betty made CPC Danville their Church home. He grew steadily in his faith which kept him

positive in his later years as his body succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease. In recent months he

would often say, “The best is yet to come.” He faithfully rests now with his Savior, Jesus. “But

they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

A memorial service will be held at Community Presbyterian Church, Danville, on

Sunday, October 22, at 2pm. Family and friends are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers,

donations may be made to: Meals on Wheels Diablo Region, 1300 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek,

CA 94596 (www.mowdiabloregion.org), or Community Presbyterian Church designated to

Missions, 222 W El Pintado, Danville, CA 94526 (https://www.cpcdanville.org/give). Cards and

letters for Betty may be sent to 112 Warwick Ct, Alamo, CA 945079