James Micheal Casebolt

1964 - 2023

A celebration of life memorial service for longtime Lamar, Colorado resident, James Casebolt was held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at the Lamar Christian Church with Ian Blacker officiating. James Micheal Casebolt was born on December 4, 1964 at Patricks Air Force Base in Florida where his dad was stationed in the United States Navy. Jim was the 2nd of 4 siblings (all sisters). In 1965, the Navy took John overseas and the rest of the family moved to La Junta. In 1966, when John came back, the family moved to a military base in Charleston, South Carolina. A short time later the Navy moved them to Scotland then back stateside to Lemon Grove, California where Jim attended his first years of elementary school. When his dad retired from the Navy, the family moved to a farm in Bent County between La Junta and Las Animas. There Jim attended school in Las Animas from 3rd grade until he graduated in 1983. Jim's teen years were filled with helping on the family farm, hanging out with his cousins Dale & Gene on the ranch down by Kim, his cousin Scott Graham, and his high school friends Mike, Keith, Bob & Clinton. When Jim was a senior, his parents and sisters moved to a farm in Summersville, Missouri, leaving Jim to finish his senior year in Las Animas. After graduating, he moved to Missouri and spent a year playing lumberjack, clearing fields on the farm and working at the sawmill. It didn't take him long to realize that this work was hard and hot, especially in the Missouri heat and humidity. In 1985, Jim attended Wyoming Tech Diesel School in Laramie receiving his Certification in Diesel Technology. In November of that year, he met the love of his life, Geri, at a 3.2 bar in Ft. Collins and asked her to dance. The bar was called The Library and the girls joke that they are pretty sure he has never actually read an entire book. Jim was sure from the beginning that Geri was the one, however she took some convincing. They were engaged within the year and married on September 3, 1988. After completing diesel school, Jim did many things. He worked as a diesel mechanic and truck driver for Clark Dickey & Sons in Cheyenne Wells, CO (1986); as a seasonal snow plow driver for CDOT on I-70 from the Eisenhower Tunnel to Copper Mountain (1987); attended United States Truck Driving School and began over the road trucking for Colorado Midwest Express out of Eckley, CO (1988); drove for TIMT (Texas Intermountain Transportation) out of Commerce City, CO (1988-91); drove a fuel tanker locally for Schrader Oil out of Ft. Collins, CO (1991); and finally mechaniced at Willie's Grain in Lucerne, CO (1992). In 1994, Jim's dream came true when he was accepted to attend the Colorado State Patrol Academy. He graduated in the class of 1994-1 in July. Jim's first duty station was in Troop 1A Limon, where he and Geri stayed in Bennet for the next 4 years. In 1998, there was an opening in the Arkansas Valley where Jim grew up and he wanted to go back. He received his transfer and he and Geri moved to Lamar. Shortly after they moved, they were surprised to find out they were going to be parents. On June 8, 1999, Sydney Layne was born. Five years later, another surprise came along; Shelby Rayne was born on August 18, 2004. Jim was so excited to be a dad and was the best dad to his girls. You never saw him without one of them. Anyone who knew him or talked to him even for just a moment, knew how proud he was of them. And most importantly they knew because he told them all the time. They will never have to doubt this or how much he loved them. Jim retired on March 1, 2021, as a Master Trooper ending his 27 year career with the Colorado State Patrol. A career full of pride, passion, and accomplishments. He was a highly trained trooper and had expertise in many areas; he was a Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, Background Investigator, Accident Reconstructionist, Radar Instructor, and even spent a few years as a MCSAP Trooper. He absolutely loved being a Trooper and was proud to represent the Colorado State Patrol. He approached every day with dedication, passion, and integrity, knowing that what he did saved lives and helped people. Jim, Geri, and the girls have spent the past few summers with some of their closest friends going on camping trips, riding trails, and getting away from it all to spend time just being themselves and not law enforcement. Our most recent big trip was to the Black Hills of South Dakota. Great memories. Although he had only been retired for 2 years and 3 months, Jim packed a lot of things into this time. Jim enjoyed golfing with his girls and he regularly golfed with his buddies, sometimes daily, but only on weekdays and only if the weather allowed. Eight am tee-time sharp, don't be late or they will start without you. This group was affectionately called "the old guys and Jim." He loved riding his Harley and went on many rides with friends who rode too. Jim had also started rebuilding a 1967 Chevelle which is sadly still in pieces in the shop. Throughout these last 2 years, even though he was "retired," he drove truck whenever somebody needed him. He drove activity buses for the Lamar Community College Sports Teams and Lamar School District. He loved watching all the kids play and was their biggest cheerleader. Jim spent the last 25+ years volunteering in the community and whatever his girls were involved in. He was a member of the Bennett and Lamar Jaycee chapters. He has served on the Alta Vista School Board for 20 years. As well as volunteering on the Lamar Sports Booster Club and the Babe Ruth 18 & Under Softball Board. He truly was a public servant who would jump in and do whatever needed to be done. He touched so many lives. Above all of his accomplishments in life and his career, Jim's greatest happiness came from his girls; following them around, being involved in what they were involved in, and giving unsolicited advice when the girls just needed a sounding board and not for him to fix it. However, Dad was a fixer. Jim leaves behind a legacy that sets an example for his girls, wife, family, friends, and those who continue to serve. Memorial contributions may be made to the James Casebolt Memorial Fund to further his daughters' education in care of the funeral home office. Services were under the direction of the Peacock Family. For current information and online condolences please visit our website at www.peacockfuneralhome.com. The family of James Casebolt would like to extend our sincerest gratitude and appreciation to our home community of Lamar, the Colorado State Patrol, and other communities and agencies for their outpouring of support and love during this most difficult time. We were extremely honored by the extraordinary showing for Jim's escort home. - Geri, Sydney, and Shelby