MEDUSA — “Jonathan Edward Case Sr., the man, the myth, the legend, left us here to mourn our great loss on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023,” his family wrote in a tribute. He was 74.

“He was born on July 30, 1948, to his parents, Russell and Ruth Case of Medusa, the youngest of four children,” the tribute went on. “He grew up working, hunting, and playing on the family farm where you could often find him in the barn with his Grampy after he had hidden from the school bus that morning.

“He married the love of his life and, as he would say, the pain in his rear, Patricia Duncan, in September 1967 and, even after five kids and 55 years of marriage, he loved her more than anything.

“Some would call him an uneducated man because he had a fifth-grade education and could barely read or write but those people would be wrong. He was one of the smartest men we have ever known and could fix, figure out, and do just about anything.

“He had more common sense than most people, a heart of gold, a witty sense of humor, and would do anything for a friend or stranger.

“Dad was a great mechanic, a seasoned farmer, an expert marksman, and an experienced logger who not only built but also ran his own sawmill. He would say, if you were to walk across any local railroad tracks, chances are he cut the railroad ties on his sawmill.

“His hunting and shooting abilities made him a legend among friends and the envy of all local hunters. People would often stop at his house to photograph him and his trophy whitetails.

“His hobbies included hunting, fishing, shooting guns, reloading bullets, collecting and repairing firearms, telling and retelling stories, visiting with friends, and giving his children a hard time every single chance he got.

“If anyone would ask him how he feels he would reply, ‘With my hands mostly.’ He never missed an opportunity to make a joke.

“We could spend a lifetime learning from him and never be half as wise as he was. He could always be counted on to impart his advice or, as he would say, words of wisdom, and it usually started with, ‘Now I’ma tellin’ ya.’

“We are comforted by the fact that he never left anything unsaid and he always showed us and told us he loved us every single day.

“He died as he lived — on his own terms and at home in God’s country, surrounded by his loving family.”

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He is loved and missed by his wife, Patricia; by his children, Elizabeth (Michael) Forman, Jonathan (Michelle) Case Jr., Daniel Case, Tina Stannard (Phil), and Shawn Case; by his grandchildren, Veronica, Michael, Dillon, Aaron, Jonathan III, Samantha, Derek, Jedidiah, Sawyer, Quinton, Courtney, Lane, Madison, Taylor, and Abbigail; by his great-grandchildren, Bella, Landon, Willow, Michael, Connor, Nova, Dalton, Cole, Delaney and Emalene; and by his many nieces, nephews and friends.

His granddaughter Shelby Case and his grandson Emmit Stannard died before him, as did his parents, Russell and Ruth Case, and his siblings, Judy Case and Russell Case Jr.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Medusa firehouse at 28 County Route 351, Medusa, NY 12120.

Memorial messages may be left at www.altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Albany, New York.

Family contact is daughter, Tina Stannard, 518-681-1517.