In loving memory of Verl “Tex” Lallathin Casto, who passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by family on Saturday, October 8th, 2022.
Born on September 9th, 1939 to Duane Verl Casto and Erma “Tyne” Rozina Lallathin, Verl was raised alongside his four sisters (Luane, Maurine, Emalynn, and Ileene) in the small farm town of Bedford, Wyoming. As the only boy in his family, Verl gained his deep-seated country grit working on the farm and milking cows for many years in his youth. High-spirited and somewhat mischievous, everyone in the Star Valley called him “Butch” for his extremely short and evenly cut hairstyle. It was only after moving to Holladay, Utah in his teens, that Verl became known as “Tex” due to his unique country-western style, a nickname that stuck with him for the rest of his life.
Tex attended Olympus High School, where he played football and wrestled on the first undefeated wrestling team in school history. After graduating in the class of 1957, he was enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1959, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in both New Zealand and in the Western States Mission from 1960-1962, and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves in 1965. As a very accomplished athlete, Tex wrestled on scholarship for the University of Utah, where he received his bachelor’s degree in 1967.
It was also during this time in his youth that Tex married his life-long sweetheart, Meryle Bates, in 1965, and they were later sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake City Temple in 1967. Together they shared more than 42 years on this earth before Meryle’s passing in 2007. They raised seven wonderful children, including Perry, Ted, Matthew, Jason, Adam, Holly, and Sam - and were blessed with the joy of watching their posterity grow, welcoming 32 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren to the family. In 2006, they had the opportunity to serve as senior family history missionaries together in the Salt Lake City LDS Church Office Buildings.
Although Tex started his storied 28-year educational career at Hillcrest High School, he was most well-known for his time as a teacher and coach at West Jordan High School, for which he is loved and revered even to this day by hundreds of former students and wrestlers. Shortly after retiring from teaching at Copper Hills High School, Tex was inducted into the Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2008. In addition to being an educator and coach, Tex started his own home-building company in the 1970s, and as a very talented concrete tradesman, he continued to do concrete work as a family business throughout the Salt Lake Valley, transferring his core values of hard-work and responsibility to his children.
Tex raised his family in Sandy, Utah, where he served for many years as the bishop of the Sandy Hills Ward (formerly known as the Sandy 14th Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye & a smile on your face but with great purpose in heart
Ward) in the Sandy Utah North Stake, later retiring to Eagle Mountain where he continued to love, serve and inspire all the people he could reach, old and young, through his selfless acts of service and his famous homemade ice cream, for which he gained another nickname as simply “The Ice Cream Man”.
Ice cream making in his later years would be but one of the countless hobbies and interests Tex would have throughout his life. He was not only an ice cream connoisseur, a chocolatier, and a wood-shop master who crafted everything from toy guns to candy machines, but he was also an avid fisherman, hunter, and hiker, who even discovered and named his own small lake up in the mountains near the Salt Lake Valley.
Tex had an ability to influence people with a unique combination of tough love and charming self-deprecation. He will always be known for the way he expressed genuine love, care, and interest in all those around him, and will be remembered for his selflessness, loyalty, sincerity, kindness, and example in living a life that cherished the true joys of faith, family, and friends.
Tex is preceded in death by his parents Duane and Tyne and wife, Meryle, and survived by his children and their spouses, Perry (Deanna), Ted (Stephanie), Matthew, Jason (Kristen), Adam (Maryann), Holly (John), and Sam (Wendy), along with his 32 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, as well as all four of his sisters.
Streamed funeral service can be found at the following link for those who are unable to make it in person:
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/79720
Services
Viewing
Funeral Service
Family
- Survived By
- Perry Eliason, Son
- Ted Casto, Son
- Matthew Casto, Son
- Jason Casto, Son
- Adam Casto, Son
- Holly Williams, Daughter
- Sam Casto, Son
Life Story Info
Post Date
Contribute
“In lieu of flowers...”
https://philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org/humanitarian-servicesPersonal Info
Born
Died
Cause of Death
Age
Gender
Lived
- Bedford, Wyoming, United States
- Sandy, Utah, United States
- Eagle Mountain, Utah, United States
Religion and Beliefs
Occupation
Military Affiliation
- Army
Worked For
- Hillcrest High School
- West Jordan High School
- Copper Hills High School
Education
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High SchoolOlympus High School
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Bachelor'sUniversity of Utah
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Master'sUniversity of Phoenix Utah Campus
William Eugene Rainey
Guestbook
Timeline
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2020
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Oct 12, 2022
R.I.P. coach
To the Tex Casto Family,
I first came to know of Tex Casto through Matt. We moved into the 14th Ward in April of 1982. I had been a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about 2 years at that point. I was called to be the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. Matt was the Quorum President. I did not know what I was doing but Matt did. I did not even have to go down to the Church on Fast Sunday to see that the Fast offering was collected. Matt just took care of it. Matt, you spoiled me. Later I learned how unusual your dedication and commitment to the Lord's Church was. Your Mother and Father taught you well. I tried to emulate you in my service to the Lord's true church. It has blessed my life and my families life. I am grateful to you and to your father, Tex and your mother Merle.
Dave Arnold
To the Tex Casto Family,
I first came to know of Tex Casto through Matt. We moved into the 14th Ward in April of 1982. I had been a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about 2 years at that point. I was called to be the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. Matt was the Quorum President. I did not know what I was doing but Matt did. I did not even have to go down to the Church on Fast Sunday to see that the Fast offering was collected. Matt just took care of it. Matt, you spoiled me. Later I learned how unusual your dedication and commitment to the Lord's Church was. Your Mother and Father taught you well. I tried to emulate you in my service to the Lord's true church. It has blessed my life and my families life. I am grateful to you and to your father, Tex and your mother Merle.
Dave Arnold
To the Tex Casto Family,
I first came to know of Tex Casto through Matt. We moved into the 14th Ward in April of 1982. I had been a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about 2 years at that point. I was called to be the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. Matt was the Quorum President. I did not know what I was doing but Matt did. I did not even have to go down to the Church on Fast Sunday to see that the Fast offering was collected. Matt just took care of it. Matt, you spoiled me. Later I learned how unusual your dedication and commitment to the Lord's Church was. Your Mother and Father taught you well. I tried to emulate you in my service to the Lord's true church. It has blessed my life and my families life. I am grateful to you and to your father, Tex and your mother Merle.
Dave Arnold
To the Tex Casto Family,
I first came to know of Tex Casto through Matt. We moved into the 14th Ward in April of 1982. I had been a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about 2 years at that point. I was called to be the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. Matt was the Quorum President. I did not know what I was doing but Matt did. I did not even have to go down to the Church on Fast Sunday to see that the Fast offering was collected. Matt just took care of it. Matt, you spoiled me. Later I learned how unusual your dedication and commitment to the Lord's Church was. Your Mother and Father taught you well. I tried to emulate you in my service to the Lord's true church. It has blessed my life and my families life. I am grateful to you and to your father, Tex and your mother Merle.
Dave Arnold
To the Tex Casto Family,
I first came to know of Tex Casto through Matt. We moved into the 14th Ward in April of 1982. I had been a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about 2 years at that point. I was called to be the Deacon's Quorum Adviser. Matt was the Quorum President. I did not know what I was doing but Matt did. I did not even have to go down to the Church on Fast Sunday to see that the Fast offering was collected. Matt just took care of it. Matt, you spoiled me. Later I learned how unusual your dedication and commitment to the Lord's Church was. Your Mother and Father taught you well. I tried to emulate you in my service to the Lord's true church. It has blessed my life and my families life. I am grateful to you and to your father, Tex and your mother Merle.
Dave Arnold
I was fortunate to work with Tex at West Jordan High and Copper Hills High. We also were in the same Master's program together. My heart hurts at the thought of the world without Tex. I loved how bold and honest he was, and he always made me laugh. Thanks for the memories, Tex.
I worked in the offices at WJHS. I enjoyed working with Tex. He was tough but fair, he was kind and supportive. He was a pleasure to be around and listen to 'guys" telling stories, lots of laughs...most of the time at Tex's expense! My condolences to his family I know they are proud of their Dad and the wonderful legacy he has left them.
Deanne Curtis
He would be one of the few staff at WJHS that I would say I held my respect. My condolences for his family.
we will truly miss Tex. The best part is he's with his loved ones now and forever.
What a beautiful, loving person. Butch was so much comfort for our family, providing blessings or just the right words and of course that beautiful smile. With all our love to each of your family members and your lovely Sisters.
What a beautiful, loving person. Butch was so much comfort for our family, providing blessings or just the right words and of course that beautiful smile. With all our love to each of your family members and your lovely Sisters.
I am sorry very sorry that I can't make it home right now but please know my heart is with you all. I love you and hope you can all find some comfort knowing he is with your mom and watching over you all!
a link for his funeral service is now available at the bottom of the obituary if you would still like to join us virtually. Thank you so much for the kind words, he was a very special man to all who knew him.
a link for his funeral service is now available at the bottom of the obituary if you would still like to join us virtually. Thank you so much for the kind words, he was a very special man to all who knew him.
Very few of us have the chance of meeting someone in life, who makes such a solid impact on our lives, teaches us lifelong lessons, honors his faith and values and makes you feel you are needed, loved and important when he speaks to you. Very few of us have had the chance to have someone who can humble you with his eyes, words, break you down to nothing, then build you up to be a better human being, while being that one person who loves you, and will be your lifelong friend. If anyone who has had the chance, no I say honor of knowing the man, mentor, coach, surrogate father, spiritual advisor, counselor and friendship of Tex Casto, knows exactly what I mean. It has been 42 years since I met this man, even though large gaps of time separated our visits, everytime I visited him, with that cheshire cat grin he would give me a big handshake, a bigger hug and make you feel like he just saw you yesterday. His resounding love and faith in God was never wavering and he always so proudly talked about Christ and his redeeming love for everyone. His lessons taught to me in the wrestling room and out have made some of the greatest impacts on my life, still to this day.
In 1982, I was a sophomore at the new west jordan high school. My class, and the few Juniors and seniors who left Bingham high school to open the new high school, was a very young group of students, with the sophomore/freshman class playing a significant role in the new school's varsity sports program. As everyone can attest, it was a brutal year of loss after loss from every high school West Jordan played against in Football, basketball, baseball. But not too bad in wrestling that year, placing second in, I believe in 2 local tournaments. Coming from my freshman year of wrestling at Bingham to the new high school, left me a veteran wrestler, (chuckle) at the new high school. I remember sitting in the wrestling room with about 40 other anxious boys anticipating meeting the new wrestling coach and the smell of new wrestling mats and paint. In walks Verl(Tex) Casto. My first thought in my mind was, "how could this fat guy teach us anything". With his beard, moustache and bald head, I heard someone say he would make a great Santa Claus. His eloquent way of speaking(chuckle), would have embarrassed a drunken sailor, as he explained his ground rules for being on the wrestling team and team boundaries. That meeting was a much anticipated meeting by me and other wrestlers for the next two years as new wrestlers were introduced to Coach Casto and his colorful display of explaining his rules, the older wrestlers would sit back against the wall and grin at each other.
That year, my first varsity match from West Jordan was against Brighton high and a 2 year state champion. I was pretty confident I could last the 6 minute match with this guy, because hey, I was a veteran. At about the 20 second mark of the first period, I remember looking up at the lights of the gym, wondering how I got in this position. As the ref hit the mat and I got up, I just couldn't believe that I had got pinned so quickly. I went over to my seat with the team and started to cry. As you can guess, Coach was standing in front of me to comfort me, Nope, Wrong. As he berated me for being a "candy### wrestler" and "you can't wrestle from your back", and other uplifting sayings(chuckle) it sunk into my head, this guy was not going to let me slack, and I was determined at that moment to work harder and be better. If only not to be scolded by him. And as all of us can agree, it was just his way of breaking bad wrestling habits to make you better.
One match, one of our wrestlers, after losing, got up and threw his headgear across the gym and walked out of the gym without going and shaking the opposing coaches hand. The next day at the beginning of practice, Coach explained to all of us in his kind and gentle way (chuckle) that if anyone of us ever displayed that type of poor sportsmanship again in front of him that he would literally "kick our A##" in front of everyone in the gym, and he would not care if he went to jail for doing it. You could hear a pin drop in that room when he said it, and all of us believed that he would have done it. The coach was a man who kept his word.
My senior year we were wrestling at Bear River. It was the last match before Christmas break. It was a long drive to the school. On the way up we were horse playing around and laughing on the bus. About halfway, Coach stood up and just yelled at us for about 10 minutes for being too cocky and not taking this match seriously. He said if we lost the match that night, we had better not say a damn word on the way home. The bus was silent and we all just sat pondering what he had said, all the way to Bear River. Needless to say we won and when we got on the bus, the coach just looked at us with that grin and said, great job guys, you earned it. It was a fun ride home.
I can proudly say I have the title of being West Jordan's first state wrestling champion, even though Ted also won that year. The 98 pound class comes before the 167 pound class. In the semi round of state, I was wrestling a very good opponent, but by the 3rd period I was beating him by 11 points. As I was in top position to start the round, I remembered looking over at the coach, instead of smiling, he was eyeing me hard. In his ever gentle voice and demeanor, he put his hands in the air and yelled, stop pussyfooting with this guy Quito, pin him. I pinned him 15 seconds later, as I came over to the coach after the match, he wrapped his hand around my neck, smiled and I knew he was so proud of me. But the icing on the cake was the next night when I won the gold medal. When the bell rang, I jumped up, went over and shook the opposing coaches hand, ran around the mat so quick and jumped into the coaches arms and he held me up for everyone to see me. He smiled so big and just held me in his arms and told me how proud of me he was, and I so appreciated him.
What Coach taught me about Life. Earlier and later in my life. 1. Life is hard, but only as hard as you desire it to be, your attitude, hard work and perseverance is everything. 2. There is no I in Team. Help, guide and teach those around you to be better. 3. Honor, respect and integrity are most important and no amount of money can buy them. 4. A smile, handshake and hugs are signs of love and caring. Receive and give them as much as possible. 5. Anything is possible with God and you should strive to build your life around having a personal relationship with Christ. 6. The fight is not over until the bell rings, never stop giving 100% As a parent, I look back on all the time, energy and love this man gave to all of his wrestlers. I understand and respect how he made coaching, teaching, church callings, extra jobs like construction to feed his family, look like no problems. And if he ever complained about it, I never heard him, that's just the type of example I loved and respected him for. And I honestly don't know how he did it, he just did. Because he was a humble, honorable and caring man, whose service was just his life. And what about the ICE CREAM
I must say over my lifetime, I talked with Tex and visited with him many times. He was in my wife’s ward and he was her parents' bishop. He always knew my name and being around him, I felt I was in the presence of greatness. Though my faith and actions were often not exemplary, His faith in Christ never wavered and he was always chiding me to put my faith in Christ and straighten up my act, and always with that beautiful smile and big Teddy bear hug. I knew I was loved by this man.
I hope one day, I can become half the man Tex Casto was. Thank you Tex, from the bottom of my heart. You deserve all the blessings and Joy, that life after death brings, no one has earned it more.
Quito that was an amazing tribute, gave me goose bumps made me tear up. I never met you. You left the year before I arrived. Reading your words mirrors my experience with coach. What a great man. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Quito that was an amazing tribute, gave me goose bumps made me tear up. I never met you. You left the year before I arrived. Reading your words mirrors my experience with coach. What a great man. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Quito that was an amazing tribute, gave me goose bumps made me tear up. I never met you. You left the year before I arrived. Reading your words mirrors my experience with coach. What a great man. Thank you for sharing your experience.
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tex at West Jordan High for the first couple of years until he went to Copper Hills. He always made me laugh and he was always such a support to me with so much wisdom. I loved working with you Tex, thanks for making my rookie years memorable!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tex at West Jordan High for the first couple of years until he went to Copper Hills. He always made me laugh and he was always such a support to me with so much wisdom. I loved working with you Tex, thanks for making my rookie years memorable!!
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tex at West Jordan High for the first couple of years until he went to Copper Hills. He always made me laugh and he was always such a support to me with so much wisdom. I loved working with you Tex, thanks for making my rookie years memorable!!
We are so blessed to have shared four years with Tex as Jim’s wrestling coach. Lots of cheers, hugs, few tears, and life lessons. Thanks Tex. Mom & Dad Rowe
Oh my gosh! I didn’t know that he passed! We’ll miss Tex so much. He was like a second grandpa to me and my family. He was truly a wonderful man and we’ll forever miss him! ❤️
Oh my gosh! I didn’t know that he passed! We’ll miss Tex so much. He was like a second grandpa to me and my family. He was truly a wonderful man and we’ll forever miss him! ❤️
Oh my gosh! I didn’t know that he passed! We’ll miss Tex so much. He was like a second grandpa to me and my family. He was truly a wonderful man and we’ll forever miss him! ❤️