John Skeets Franklin Casebolt, 71, the oldest of four children of George and Johnnie Casebolt, was born Dec. 3, 1936, at La Junta, Colo. He died Jan. 30, 2008, in a farm accident while tending his cows.
He attended La Junta Schools, graduating in 1955. In June 1955, he started his career with the U.S. Navy where he was an electronics technician chief. Over the next 20 years, he spent time on different ships and submarines: USS Grady, USS Massey, Surface Anti-Submarine Dutton, USS Nathan Hale, USS Henry Clay, USS Simon Lake and USS Hunley. He was stationed in several states, Turkey and Scotland. He received a National Defense Service Medal and five Good Conduct Medals.
He retired in 1975 as a chief petty officer and began farming at Las Animas, Colo.
He married Gail Funk Jan. 13, 1963, at Higby, Colo.
The family moved to a farm at Summersville in 1983, where he raised Simmental cattle.
Mr. Casebolt attended the Midvale Church of Summersville.
He was preceded in death by his father and an infant daughter, Georgia Lee.
Surviving are his wife of 45 years; three children, James Casebolt of Lamar, Colo., Janet Pearcey of Craig, Colo., and Carol Lynch of Little Rock, Ark.; his mother of La Junta, Colo.; siblings, Betty Wood of La Junta, James Casebolt of Arizona and Michael Casebolt of La Junta, Colo.; and five grandchildren.
Services were Feb. 3 at the Bradford Funeral Home Chapel at Summersville. Additional services were Feb. 6 at Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home at La Junta, Colo. Burial with military honors was at La Junta, Colo.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life in care of Bradford Funeral Home.
