Obituary of James Clinton Case

Lieutenant James Clinton Case, 89, of Pensacola FL passed away on October 27, 2018. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin on October 2, 1929 to Clinton and Ruth Case. Jim was stationed in San Diego when he married Elaine Georgeson on June 16, 1951. Together they raised five children, first living in Pittsburgh and later in Idaho Falls. Upon Jim’s retirement they relocated to Tucson, but eventually made their final move to Pensacola 20 years ago. Jim attended the University of Wisconsin from 1947-1951 on a ROTC scholarship and graduated with a degree in Naval Engineering. He served three years of active duty in the Navy and 20 years in the reserves. Jim served on the USS Spangler in San Diego and on the USS Gregory in the Pacific during the Korean War. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal (3 stars), the United Nations Service Medal, the China Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. In 1955, Jim earned a second bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He worked for Westinghouse for 16 years and Argonne National Laboratories for 17 years. Playing bridge was Jim’s passion. He was a member of the Pensacola Bridge Club and earned his Diamond Life Master Awardin March of 2018. He was an avid chess player, who enjoyed solving the NY Times daily crossword puzzle and following the stock market. Jim was a fanatic when it came to playing Texas Hold’em at the Pensacola Greyhound Track. His winnings kept him coming back for more. Likewise, he could pay for his trips to Las Vegas with his earnings from the Black Jack table. An outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed all the adventures that Idaho offers, Jim loved camping at Meadow Lake, river rafting down the Selway and Salmon Rivers, and downhill skiing at Grand Targheeand Kelly’s Canyon. He taught his four sons how to hunt for pheasant, grouse, and deer. Later in life Jim went out of his way to provide beautiful settings for extended family vacations, whether it was by the warm beaches of Acapulco or under the blue skies of Sun Valley. Jim is survived by five children including Bill (Shirley) Case of University Place, WA; Bob (Dena) Case of Kalispell, MT; Tom (Tami), John (Donna), and Nancy Case of Idaho Falls, ID; brothers Richard and Joel Case of Maryland; 7 grandchildren including Marianne Bezaire, Kathryn Stanek, Shannon Paulson, Andy Case, Jennifer Eck, Ryan Case, and Jessica Fullmer; and 11 great grandchildren includingMadeleine and Charles Bezaire, Ethan and Emily Stanek, Amber, Lilliana, and Alexia Case, Madisenand Samuel Colton (due January 2019)Eck, and Macy and TreysonFullmer. He was preceded in death by his wife Elaine (2017), great grandson Cole Eck (2016), and sister, Susan Nolan. The family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to many caring people who helped Jim in his final months of life. They are truly grateful for his attentive neighbors, especially his good buddy, John Nix, who went above and beyond the call of duty to help Jim during some of his most difficult moments; for Regency Hospice, who provided the most professional and compassionate care anybody could ask for; for the patient TLC Caregivers, who treated Jim with the dignity and respect that a dying person deserves; and for Carla Burke and the Pensacola Bridge Club, who kept Jim well fed with their delicious homemade meals. A Committal Service will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Barrancas National Cemetery. The Procession will meet at 12:30pm at Olive Baptist Church-Warrington Campus, 103 W. Winthrop Avenue, Pensacola, Florida.