Carlyle Fauley

Carlyle Ward Fauley, the heart of our family, left us on Feb. 3, 2020, from a massive heart attack, to begin his personal journey to life everlasting.

He was born on Sept. 28, 1925, in Kalispell to Clyde C. and Marie (Fratzke) Fauley. His father was a park ranger for Glacier National Park. He spent the first two years of his life at the Paola Ranger Station with his father, mother and older brother, Clyde. In 1928, his father was transferred to the Two Medicine Ranger Station. This was an idyllic life for two young boys. During the time they were at Two Medicine they were joined by sister, Alice, and brother, Howard. When the children were ready to enter elementary school they moved to nearby East Glacier Park.

Carlyle attended Browning High School from 1939 through 1943, where he was active in sports, FFA, and played in the school band. He was always proud of the fact that both the basketball and football teams in which he participated, in his graduating year, were state champions, always giving all credit to his Blackfeet teammates.

After graduating in 1943, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. After completing basic training in San Diego he was sent to Guam, where he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division and his first battle. From Guam, he was sent to Iwo Jima. With the 3rd Marine Division, he arrived on the island on the third day of the battle. After many days and nights of fierce fighting and much death around him, he knew victory the moment he saw, from a distance, that first small American flag flying atop Mount Suribachi, though it took several more weeks for total victory.

After World War II ended, he returned home but remained in the U.S. Marine Reserve. For the next three years, he became a seasonal Park employee, one of his jobs included pioneering the opening of the Going-To-The-Sun Road each spring. This was before the new safety standards were established.

He was called back to service in July, 1950, and within the week he was sent to San Diego to await deployment to South Korea. Between the time he arrived in San Diego and two days before being deployed, he married Theresa Ritter.

After arriving in South Korea, he was immediately sent into the Chosen Reservoir Campaign with the 7th Marine Regiment, First Marine Division. "For meritorious services and bravery during operations against enemy aggressor forces," he was awarded the Bronze Star with "V."

When he returned home from the war, he and Theresa moved to San Diego, where he could pursue a year-round career in construction, achieving much success through the years for his hard work. In the following years he earned his private pilot's license, built a 14-foot runabout, boat opening up the ocean for fishing and waterskiing in the bay, enjoyed jogs on the beach, downhill skiing with family and long lasting friendships. He loved his life in California but always looked forward to his summer visits to our cabin in East Glacier.

In 1954, they welcomed son, Colin Ward, followed in 1957 by daughter, Honora Marie. He loved his children so very much and was the best dad. He helped instill in them the love of the outdoors. He always said Colin was his favorite hiking partner and Honora was his favorite ski partner.

Life was complete and full for the little family of four, but that all changed in July 1979, when beloved son, Colin, was in a car accident and died from his injuries three months later.

Life was so different for Carlyle after that but in 1988, when his daughter, Honora, married Jack Burns, he found a new zest for life, gained a son-in-law and new fishing partners.

After retiring in the late 1990s, after 53 years, they returned home to Montana where he enjoyed 23 years of retirement at their house in Lakeside.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Colin, brother Clyde, brother-in-law Clayton Peterson, and sister-in-law Evelyn Fauley.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Theresa, daughter Honora, son-in-law Jack, sister Alice Peterson, brother Howard, sister-in-law Rae Marie Fauley, sister-in-law Helen Show, and his many nieces and nephews who were always in his heart.

Life without him has been very hard these past two years. He lived his 94 years with honor, respect and kindness. He has left many wonderful memories of love for us all. He was our hero.

On a summer’s day, this June 18, 2022, the family of Carlyle Ward Fauley will be holding his funeral services at the East Glacier Park Cemetery at 2 p.m. No flowers, please.