Gerald Gaston McCasland of Wills Point quietly passed from this world into the eternal care of our Lord on November 20th in the presence of loved ones and the comfort of his home.
Jerry was born on his grandfather’s farm in rural Kaufman County on August 20, 1936 to Betty Lou Priddy and Holton Gent. Reared by his mother and adoptive stepfather, Archibald F. McCasland of Terrell, he grew up in the Presbyterian Church, subsequently becoming a member of Methodist Church for more than 50 years. As a child following World War II, he briefly lived in Italy with Archie who had served as a bomber pilot in the United States Air Force.
Throughout his life, he maintained an interest in the history of Europe and the United States. Jerry returned to attend public school in Terrell and graduated from Terrell High School in 1954. He served as senior class president, member of the National Honor Society and played football as right guard for the Terrell Tigers on their State Championship Team in 1954.
Jerry attended the University of Texas at Austin followed by his service in the Army National Guard. He continued his education and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. While attending college in Arlington, he worked as a draftsman for Collins Radio in Richardson where he started his family. He went on to become an engineer for Rockwell Collins for more than 31 years in the Command and Controls Division. He worked on pioneering communication systems for aerospace projects including Air Force One, the stealth bomber and the space shuttle. He also held one of the first patents for the design of a consumer radar detector. Jerry lived in service to his community of Richardson as a member of the park board and the zoning board of adjustment. He went on to serve for eight years on the board of trustees for the Richardson Independent School District, eventually being elected to the position
of president. Jerry retired to the community of Wills Point where he was a member of Russell Memorial United Methodist Church. He was actively involved as a member of the "Seekers" Sunday school class, having served as vice president. He active in the church’s annual Heaven’s Harvest Dinner and Auction. Jerry served on the board of directors for the South Tawakoni Water Co-op. He was also a supporter of Van Zandt County Humane Society.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Mamie Nebhut McCasland of Wills Point. His children are Charles and wife Martha of Chandler, AZ;
Mitch and wife Robin of Dallas; Lee and wife Rachel of Austin; and Liska McCasland of Dallas. His grandchildren are Samantha and Macy of Chandler, AZ; and Grant and Kendal of Austin.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Van Zandt County Humane Society, P O Box 4, Grand Saline, TX, 75140; or the Russell Memorial United Methodist Church Building Fund, 201 South Fourth Street, Wills Point, TX ,75169.
