WA/DL Capt. C.N.'Nick' Castle

~ IN MEMORY ~

Vietnam war veteran, WA/DL Capt. C. N. ‘Nick’ Castle

April 20, 1943 ~ April 9, 2013 

   

Nearing his 70th birthday, retired WA/DL Captain Nick Castle has passed away due complications of cancer.  Clayton Nichols Castle was born and raised in California. After his military service, Captain Castle hired on with Western 04-25-1972 and retired with Delta at the mandatory age 60 in 2003, based 030/LAX.

Survived by his wife Karen Ferrier Castle, personal condolences

may be sent to their home at

4922 N Sunset Ave., Fresno CA 93704-3029 ..... (559) 225-4816

Services for Captain Castle will be held at the First Baptist Church,

581 E. Honolulu in Lindsay, California on Saturday, April 13th at 1:00 p.m.

Life Story:

Clayton "Nick" Castle passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, surrounded by his family. Born in Lindsay, California on April 20, 1943, he lived in Fresno for the last 39 years. He met his wife, Karen Ferrier, in high school and they married in 1966. Nick and Karen were best friends and they always made each other laugh. He was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Clayton Castle. He is survived by Karen; his four daughters, Holly McCloskey and her husband Forrest, Heidi Steinke and her husband Paul, Stephanie, and Ginger and her fiancé, Adrian Jessop; three grandchildren, Sierra McCloskey, Lindsay Steinke, and Piper Steinke; his sister, Carol Seastrom and her husband Greg; Nick's in-laws, Barbie and Butch Falconer and Rick and Karen Ferrier; two nieces and three nephews. Nick graduated from Lindsay High School in 1961 and Fresno State College in 1965, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Upon his college graduation he became a pilot in the United States Navy. He flew P-3 Orions during the Viet Nam War and was stationed in the Philippines and later Moffett Field. After leaving the Navy, he flew for Western Air Lines and Delta Air Lines for 31 years, retiring in 2003. Nick was a devoted and loving husband, father, and "Papa" to his granddaughters. As his girls were growing up Nick spent many years coaching soccer. Ever the sports fan, he was a loyal supporter of the St. Louis Rams, Fresno State, and later UCLA. He loved skiing, vacationing at Lake Tahoe, pulling water skiers behind his MasterCraft boat, traveling with Karen and his girls, and above all, being with his family. Nick had an unwavering and irrepressible positive outlook on life that he maintained until the very end. His easy-going personality and quick wit endeared him to his family and friends. His humor, compassion, and joy in living will be missed. A Service for Nick will be held at the First Baptist Church, 581 E. Honolulu in Lindsay, California on Saturday, April 13, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. Remembrances may be made in Nick's name to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, California 90401.

.Published in the Fresno Bee on April 11, 2013