Jerome Joseph “Joe/Mac” McCaskey, 81, of Bartlett, Tenn., passed away July 18, 2022, at home.
He was the oldest child of nine children born to Jerry and LaVerne McCaskey of Kendall, Wis. He graduated from Kendall High School in l958 and joined the Navy. He married LaWanda Manning, and they raised their family in the Memphis area. Joe retired from the U.S. Navy as a Senior Chief after 20 years of service. He worked for Buckeye, a division of Procter and Gamble.
He was an avid badminton player (winning the State of Tennessee Senior Badminton Trophy). He played racquetball and built and flew remote-controlled airplanes. He could fix anything from cars to fighter jets for Naval Aviators.
He loved to return to his roots, Kendall, for the Labor Day celebration.
He was a great storyteller. Every story began with a ‘57 Chevy or whatever car was involved. He had wonderful stories because he had a full life of adventure, hard work, goals, achievements, faith, and family. He was a role model for many.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, LaWanda McCaskey; five children, Ronnie (Linda) McCaskey, Susie (Rick) Jacobs, Jimmy (Carla) McCaskey, Jan (David) Smith, and Mike (Gretchen) McCaskey; 13 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
Also surviving are his siblings, Betty (Bob) Kovacs, Marvin Lee, Dr. Pat (Becky) McCaskey, Alice (Tom) Zastoupil, Peggy (Mike) Lena, Kathy (John) Kouba, Jenny (Pam McDonald) McCaskey, and Marty (Lee) Witt, and numerous extended family members.
He was preceded by one daughter, Lisa Marie McCaskey; his parents, Joseph “Jerry” and LaVerne McCaskey; and his sister, Mary Lee.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bartlett, Tenn., with military honors. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
