Lt. Col. M.C. "Pacer" Faseler, Ret. Usaf

Lt. Col. M.C. “Pacer” Faseler, Ret. USAF was born in Yancey, TX on February 10, 1931 to Louis Frank and Bertha Christina (Spellman) Faseler. He passed at the age of 85 on October 22, 2016 in Norman, OK.

Pacer was born 11th of 12 children into a farming family which made its living from the land. His boyhood experience on the farm kindled his life-long passions for agriculture and machinery, interests which guided his career choices through life. He was descended from members of the Plymouth Colony, and was separated by only a few generations from ancestors who fought in pivotal battles in the War for Texas Independence.

After attending Southwest Texas State College on football scholarship he joined the US Air Force, eventually piloting B-47’s , flying helicopters & working with Titan-ll ICBM’s. He flew helicopter rescue missions in Thailand during the Viet-Nam war and served as a helicopter flight instructor after returning from Southeast Asia. Pacer accumulated numerous meritorious citations and recognitions and was a graduate of the Air Command & Staff College.

Shortly after joining the Air Force, Pacer met the love of his life, Carolyn June Cornwell. The couple were married on September 9, 1956 in Salina, KS. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary just over a month before his passing. The couple had four daughters. Pacer was a proud, loving and devoted father and grandfather, relishing time spent with his children and grandchildren.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1980 Pacer began a second career as a water district manager in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley.

After 12 years in the Valley and with their four daughters grown, Pacer and Carolyn moved to retire in Norman, Okla. where they had lived for a few years while stationed at Tinker AFB in the early 80’s .

A reunion meeting with a former Air Force friend, A.A. “Bud” Vance, soon after arriving in Norman led to a third career in the development of road-building equipment and the administration of Broce Construction and Broce Manufacturing Companies.

Pacer was a true lifelong learner with kaleidoscopic interests. He loved growing vegetables & flowers and experimenting with horticultural techniques. He loved hunting, fishing, guns and shooting. He loved history, politics, economics & traveling. He loved drama, music & literature. He was a sailor, a master wood-worker, and a jewelry maker. He was an excellent cook and baker. Voracious does not sufficiently describe his reading appetite. He furthered his educational exploration through the University of Oklahoma’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and completed over 200 OLLI classes. He was a passionate and expert bridge player, having played with his siblings from the time he could hold the cards.

Pacer’s interest in agriculture followed him through his whole life. At each military post where the family was stationed he kept a garden. He was tending his tomato plants the day before his death.

Pacer will forever be remembered by his friends and family for his good nature, his competitiveness, and his sense of humor.

Pacer is survived by: wife Carolyn; daughters: Rebecca Sparks and husband Joe of Norman, Sara Kast and husband Mike of Denver, CO, Laura Younger and husband Tom of Santa Barbara, CA, and Jana Diedrich and husband Haze of Denver, Co; sisters: Ethel Hensley and Francis Wegner; grandchildren: Eric Younger, Robert Younger, Josh Kast, Ella Kast, Hayden Kast, and Eva Sparks; three granddogs: Alfie, Dingo, and Violet; and a host of family and friends.

Pacer was preceded in death by his parents and 9 of his 11 siblings.

A celebration of Pacer’s life will take place at a come and go reception at Legend’s Times Two (1333 W. Lindsey St., Norman) on Sunday, November 27th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm..