James (Casey) Farrell
February 6, 1951 - August 30, 2024
James (Casey) (Doc) Farrell was born to James Henry and Lucille Deloris Farrell February 16th 1951 in Reno, NV. He graduated from Granger High School in Granger, UT in 1969. He passed away in Deer Lodge, Montana August 30, 2024.
He served in the United States Navy after high school as a corpsman. When his military service was over he attended college at the University of Utah and subsequently Westminister College where he received his degree in nursing. He worked as a Registered Nurse for decades; often in critical care situations. A claim to fame was being on the ICU nursing team caring for Barney Clark after he received the first artificial heart pump in 1982.
Casey was an outdoor guy who loved skiing, camping and river rafting as well as crocheting, running and gardening his roses. Until a few weeks prior to his death he was running five miles per day.
He was preceded in death by his parents, half brother Wallace Farrell and his son Jonathan. He is survived by his two daughters Jenny and Katie and their children.*.
Casey was a great man. This may seem a strange thing to say about a man, much of whose adult life was a struggle with the disease of alcoholism and DUI offenses that periodically landed him in prison, but we remember that typically great men also have great vulnerabilities and struggles.
When it was pointed out to an attorney friend that it seemed there were a lot of struggles with alcoholism in the legal and medical professions, he responded, "For us attorneys, its a professional requirement."
Upon contemplation it does seem that persons whose entire working day is with people who are suffering some hardship a little anesthetic at the end of the work day could be an attractive solace.
Addiction professionals tell us there are three roads to the disease of alcoholism. Genetic, social, and psychological. Casey walked all three. Genetic, from one drink you are craving alcohol. Social, you drink because those around you drink; eventually triggering addiction. Psychological, you drink to anesthetize life stressors and issues eventually triggering.....
His friends know his psychological challenges which included losing his son at age 22. Death of a child has been researched as perhaps life's greatest stress. For him life's road was a minefield of disease triggers which he could negotiate for a time with Twelve Step and Zen spiritual practices, but then that one misstep and a relapse would blow his life up. But he always made a comeback. It took cancer to finally defeat him.
Casey was great because he was a living example of non-judgmental kindness. His life was dedicated both professionally as a Registered Nurse and in his personal life to caring for and about others.
Casey discovered along life's path that he was gay. Initially, this was not easy to accept having been born into a Roman Catholic family. This discovery resulted in an amicable separation and a move down the street from his spouse and children. Casey loved all beings but his love for his family never wained and they were revered.
He was a pillar of all his communities. His Twelve Step community which gave him support to regain sobriety when he slipped and to maintain his sober periods. The gay men's community. The Open Way and Full Circle Zen communities in Missoula and Deer Lodge. The overall inmate community in prison, the A Way Home "Inside to Outside" transition group for persons coming out of prison. In all these communities he was a rock, the person who would stand with anyone in need. An example of how persons could live a kind and loving life in all their environments.
He also was very courageous. He marched in Gay Pride parades even back when it wasn't necessarily safe to do so. In a group he knew when to support and when to confront and challenge.
At MSP, he was often the best accessible source of medical advice, thus the nickname "Doc." Anyone familiar with the "corrections system" know those subjected to it live in an environment permeated by power games and head games the shorthand for which is "the con code." Most to whom this game makes no sense keep their heads down and quietly live differently. Whenever people tried to game Casey, bully him, or involve him in a game he looked them in the eye and said, "I don't do that con code s**t." No matter their size or tough guy status. For some reason they would take this from this skinny elderly Irishman. And back off and leave him alone. Apparently they could somehow feel that it was said with care and not spite.
People at MSP would notice his kind, caring, helpful, and unflappable approach to life and seek him out and ask him how he stayed so calm and upbeat in the con-code dominated culture When asked he would say it was his spiritual practice and then invite them to a Twelve Step meeting, the Zen meditation group, or both. But he never preached. He just lived his values, and when people inquired he'd invite them to test out one or both of the groups.
His life of service was always at the forefront; in his nursing career, at MSP or in Missoula. He was regular in attendance and a practice leader for his Open Way Zen meditation group. He was an opener for his AA group. He was an opener and facilitator for the A Way Home transition group.
He led with his big Irish heart. He led with his irrepressible Irish sense of humor. He led with a lived and sophisticated understanding of people and their struggles. Twelve Step Groups and Zen Meditation may have been Casey's practices, but his religion was, as the Dali Lama once famously said of his, "Kindness."
So many people in so many communities are missing him today. Gratitude to his family for having nurtured such an exceptional being. We who have known him are all better for it.
A Celebration of Life will be held as follows.
November 16, 2024.
Open Way Mindfulness Center.
Missoula, Montana.
Entry at rear.
Following sharing...
~12:00 Food and Fellowship.
Persons may chose to attend the full Celebration or arrive at 11:00 for the sharing circle, and for the food, and fellowship which follow sharing.
