James Howard Haessler

James Howard Haessler, Sr. (Lt. Col. USAF, Ret.) age 87, died peacefully on April 20, 2025 of natural causes at his home near Canyon Lake, Texas.
Jim was born in Mount Vernon, NY on April 24, 1937 to Alice (Bailey) and Thomas Haessler, Sr.
Jim was the middle child, having an older brother, Thomas, Jr. (1932-2024) and a younger sister, Judith (1942-2024). Jim grew up in Mount Vernon and graduated from A.B. Davis High School in 1955. He was a talented trumpet player and attended The Juilliard School in Manhattan on a scholarship. Jim earned an associate’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and later earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Bellevue University. In 1959, Jim joined the Air Force and made a 23-year career in the Strategic Air Command, mainly flying in B-52’s as a navigator, and later in staff positions at various commands, including the Looking Glass Airborne Command Post based at Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, and in Strategic Planning at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth. Jim was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions while assigned to U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield in Thailand in 1972 & ’73. Jim retired from the Air Force in 1981 and spent his retirement enjoying his grandkids and the joys of the peaceful life well spent.
In September of 1960, Jim married Patricia (Eicholz) of Corpus Christi, TX in a church minister’s home in Rancho Cordova, California. Jim and Pat are both longtime, active members of the Church of Christ and joined congregations wherever they were assigned and throughout their retirement years. At the time of Jim’s passing, he was a respected member of the Canyon Lake Church of Christ in Startzville, TX. Jim and Pat have two sons, James, Jr. and Jeffrey. They are also blessed with four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Jim will be deeply missed by all who knew him.