13 Feb 1942 – 23 Jul 2024
Raymond Crawford Casterline, lifelong resident of Gazelle, California passed in his sleep on 23 July 2024 after an illness. He was 82 years old. Ray is survived by his daughters Renee Casterline (Vinnie Poch) and Karen Neiman (Scott); his granddaughters Brieanna and Annabelle; his sisters Peggy Young and Mida Payne; and many nieces and nephews.
Ray grew up in Gazelle on the family ranch where he developed a love of driving tractors and learned from hours in the saddle on cattle drives that he didn’t prefer riding horses. His wife, Diane Casterline, who also grew up in Gazelle, loved horses. Their daughters grew up running wild in the meadows and hills of the ranch on foot and on horseback. Ray and Diane were married for 39 years. Diane, well known from working at the Gazelle and Yreka Post Offices, passed in 2009 after a short battle with cancer.
Ray served his country by joining the Army and was stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky where he was a paratrooper and sharpshooter. He was part of a large family with many siblings. Both his mother (Goldie Crawford Casterline) and father (Jim Casterline) also had a lot of siblings, so family reunions were crowded affairs. Ray grew up on the family ranch with his sisters (often playing pranks on them) and later worked with his brother, Teed Casterline.
No services will be held. In lieu of flowers or gifts, memorial contributions may be made to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.
source: Girdner Funeral Chapel
