Casey Kasem’s Touching Memorial Celebrated A Father And Radio Legend

Casey Kasem was known for decades for his golden voice. He graced the airwaves with his presence, and many people grew up listening to Kasem count down the top hits. That said, up until recently Kasem lived a very private life, so it only made sense that his closest family and relatives would gather at a memorial in honor of their father and friend.

The deejay’s daughter Julie Kasem told People magazine about the service that was held on Father’s Day:

“To have all of his family, friends and coworkers come together to remember and pay tribute to him was beautiful.”

The memorial was filled with 200 people who gathered to pay their respects at the Bel Air Presbyterian Church. The service included multiple speeches by Kasem’s three children, his brother, and his close friends.

Specifically, a family rep, Danny Deraney, told TheWrap about the ceremony:

“The children — Kerri, Mike, Julie and Julie’s daughters gave speeches in addition to his close friends and brother. The day ended with a wonderful video presentation created by Mike Kasem.”

It hasn’t been the best time since Kasem fell ill. He suffered from “lewy body dementia, a progressive disease of the body’s neurological and muscle cells.” Since June the deejay has been under hospice in Gig Harbor, Washington. When he took a turn for the worse, Kasem’s children began worrying.

Kasem’s second wife, Jean, along with her daughter Liberty, did not attend the funeral. This isn’t too surprising when taking into consideration the family drama that has occurred as Kasem’s conditioned worsened. Casey’s children from a previous marriage were in a battle with Jean because she took him from his nursing home in California to a friend’s house in Washington. This caused Kasem’s children to go looking for their father, and at one point claimed that he was missing.

Unhappy with Jean’s decision to take Casey to Washington without consulting them first, Kerri Kasem went to a judge to obtain the ability to pull her father off life support.

At the time of his death Kerri Kasem broke the news in a Facebook post:

“Early this Father’s Day morning, our dad Casey Kasem passed away surrounded by family and friends. Even though we know he is in a better place and no longer suffering, we are heartbroken. Thank you for all your love, support and prayers. The world will miss Casey Kasem, an incredible talent and humanitarian; we will miss our Dad. With love, Kerri, Mike and Julie.”

Casey Kasem was 82 years old.