Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Edward Fidler, USAF (Retired), of Buffalo Lake, passed away on September 15, 2026, at Harmony at White Oaks. He was born on February 24, 1935, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, a son of the late Kester Farnsworth Fidler and Audra Marcella Robey Fidler.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Nancy Carol McDaniel Fidler, who passed away on January 2, 2025. He was also preceded in death by one brother, John Willis Fidler, and one sister, Sister Barbara Fidler.
He is survived by two sons, Edward “Corey” Fidler and wife Sally of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Eric Daniel Fidler and his wife, Lisa, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; two granddaughters, Olivia Danielle Fidler and Isabella Noelle Fidler; one sister, Rebecca Barnette of Buffalo Lake; and several nieces and nephews.
Joe was a 1953 graduate of Unidis High School and attended Davis & Elkins College on a basketball scholarship. Determined to fulfill his dream of becoming a fighter pilot, he took a competitive examination in upstate New York and was admitted to the Aviation Cadet Program.
After graduating from the program, Joe served for five years as an instructor at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and was assigned to Project Gemini in preparation for the lunar landing program. During the Vietnam War, he flew 220 combat missions. He later spent four and a half years in Europe with NATO, coordinating combat tasking among the United States, German, and Canadian air forces, and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. He also served another tour at Ubon, Thailand.
During his distinguished 23-year career in the United States Air Force, Joe received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. He retired from military service in 1978.
Following his retirement, Joe returned home to his family and earned his teaching certification from Fairmont State University. He helped establish Tri-County High School, serving students from Doddridge, Harrison, and Taylor counties. He enjoyed teaching social studies and continued working as a substitute teacher throughout Harrison County for several years.
Joe was a member of West Milford Baptist Church and attended West Milford United Methodist Church. He was also a member of VFW Post 5131. An avid golfer, he belonged to Bel Meadow Country Club. His life was marked by devoted service to his country, dedication to education, and love for his family and community.
Family and friends may call at Amos Carvelli Funeral Home, 201 Edison Street Nutter Fort, on Monday, September 21, 2026, from 10:00am to 12:00pm, where the funeral service will be held at 12:00pm to conclude the gathering, with Pastors Joy Butcher-Winfree and Kelsey Lounsbury presiding. Interment will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to the family at www.amoscarvelli.com. A service of Amos Carvelli Funeral Home.
