Ronald G. Casleton

Ronald G Casleton, retired Air Force Colonel, passed away at the age of 86 on May 13, 2025. Ron was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was an Air Force fighter pilot and a true patriot who served his country for 27 years. He was born March 24, 1939 in Canton, IL to Glenn Casleton and Magdalene Young and grew up in Murphysboro, IL. After graduating from Murphysboro Township High School, he attended the University of Illinois where he received a Bachelor’s Degree and completed USAF ROTC. While in college, he married his high school sweetheart, Harriet Marie Corbin on August 26, 1961.

Following his graduation from U of I, Ron & Harriet started an Air Force career traveling to Reese AFB, Lubbock, TX where Ron entered pilot training in October 1962 as a member of Class 64C flying the T-37 and T-38. Following graduation, he was assigned to Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX as an Instructor Pilot in the T-37. In November 1968, after training in the F-100 at Luke AFB, AZ and the OV-10 at Hurlburt Field FL, he was assigned to the First Infantry Division at Lai Khe, Vietnam as a Forward Air Controller. He completed his tour in Vietnam in November 1969. Upon his return to the US, he continued his Air Force career with an assignment at Columbus AFB, MS as an instructor in the T-38. His career continued to Cannon AFB, NM as a F111 Fighter Pilot, then was assigned as a Staff Officer at HQ USAF Europe, Ramstein Germany. After the overseas assignment, the Air Force took him back for a quick tour at Cannon AFB where he flew both the F-111A and D and then onto Mountain Home AFB, Idaho. While at Mountain Home AFB he Commanded DET 3, F-111 Fighter Weapons School. He was promoted to Colonel in June 1982 while at Mountain Home AFB and subsequently returned to Cannon AFB as the Deputy Commander for Operations. His final assignments were HQ Tactical Air Warfare Center, Eglin AFB, FL and a tour as the Commander Joint United States Military Assistance Group in Manila, Republic of the Philippines.

He retired from the Air Force September 1989, with 27 years of service. His medals included the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service with three clusters, Air Medal with seven clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars. Following his retirement, he was employed by COMAIR Airlines where he flew the Embraer 120 for 10 years before retiring again in December 1999. Ron and Harriet lived in Niceville FL for 15 years before moving to Albuquerque, NM in 2003 where he spent his retirement years enjoying family, grandkids, traveling and fixing anything that broke and some things that weren’t. He is survived by his wife Harriet, his son Brian Casleton and wife Deanna of San Antonio, TX and his daughter Lori Carabajal and husband Jeff of Albuquerque, NM, grandchildren Matt, Alex (Cayman) and Katie Casleton; Brad (Eilise) and Corey Carabajal, and 4 great grandchildren Adam, Allie, Julianna and Mason Casleton and his sister Glenna Casleton Stein. He was a member of Our Lady of Annunciation Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to one of these charities that Ron supported: Air Force Aid Society (https://afas.org/tribute-gifts/) - for his Air Force service or the Animal Humane Center of NM (https://animalhumanenm.org/donate)- for his love of animals.

Funeral Services will be at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church – 2621 Vermont St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 on Tuesday, June 3, 2025. Rosary at 10:00am, mass at 10:30am followed by a graveside ceremony with Honor Guard at Gates of Heaven Cemetery- 7999 Wyoming Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109.

Aim High Good Man – Fly- Fight- Win!