John Franklin Faseler 

John Franklin Faseler of San Marcos died on May 26, 2019, at age 85. He was born in Hondo, Texas on January 17, 1934, to Annie Hartman and John George Faseler.

John was a born outdoorsman and sportsman. When he was not assisting his father and brothers with the farm, much of his time was spent hunting and fishing. During his teen years, he participated in several sports in the Yancey schools. John’s natural athleticism and competitive spirit was so apparent that he was recruited at age 16 to be the pitcher for a men’s fastpitch softball team.

After attending Yancey High School for three years, John moved to Hondo High School for his senior year, where his athletic talent in football drew the attention of several colleges. From multiple scholarship offers he chose to attend Rice Institute (University), where upon being chosen freshman athlete of the year, he once again demonstrated his athletic prowess.

Despite the culture shock that the big city of Houston presented to a teenager who just 2 years before was playing six-man football at a small country school, it was the love of a girl, Dorothy Lester, that tugged him closer to home. Consequently, with hat in hand, John approached head coach Milton Jowers at Southwest Texas State Teachers College, whose scholarship offer he declined the year before. John asked for a second chance. Coach Jowers graciously agreed, thereby laying the groundwork for John’s future in San Marcos.

John continued to demonstrate his athletic ability on the football field, and he was named team captain his senior year. In 1990, John was inducted into the Texas State Athletic Hall of Honor, the highest athletics accolade bestowed upon Texas State athletics alumni.

John’s successes were not limited to athletics. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1956, followed by a master’s degree in administration in 1958. 

John and the love of his life, Dorothy, were married on August 7, 1954. Both were raised in the Methodist Church, and they were members of the San Marcos First United Methodist Church. They lived in married student housing at the college, where they made lifelong friends. Following graduation, John and Dorothy remained in San Marcos, where they raised their two daughters, Diana and Lisa. John joined San Marcos CISD as a teacher and a coach. As the head track coach, he led the track team to the state track meet. The school district honored John’s coaching success by naming its annual track meet the Faseler Relays. While John was assistant varsity football coach, the team made an appearance in the state finals.

Upon leaving teaching and coaching, John moved into administration at San Marcos High School, where he served as principal. He finished his career with the school district as director of special services, retiring in 1990.

In addition to fulfilling his responsibilities as a teacher, coach, and administrator, John was a commercial beekeeper. He was affiliated with Sue Bee Honey for over 50 years. After retiring from the school district, he remained active in bee keeping. The respect he garnished in the bee industry was acknowledged in his election to Sue Bee’s board of directors. Yet another pastime was raising cattle on the family farm. 

John had a zest for life and people; he was a true extrovert. Some of the best memories were made at family gatherings and social times with friends. John and Dorothy cherished their time with family and friends, and they enjoyed their travels around North America and Europe.

He is preceded in death by parents John and Annie Faseler; in-laws Owen and Jewel Lester; sister Ruth (Faseler) Wilson and husband Lawrence; brother Elmer Faseler; brother-in-law Johnny Graff; and sister-in-law Jane (Lester) Martin and husband Oliver.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Dorothy Lester Faseler; daughters and sons-in-law Diana and Gary Elkins, Lisa and Stephen Gray; grandchildren, Dana Breed (Brad), Lindsey Russey (Alex), Allie Elkins, Drew Gray, Reagan Gray. He is also survived by brother, Karl Faseler; sister, Dorothy Graff; sister-in-law, JoAnn Faseler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, May 31st from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at Pennington Funeral Home in San Marcos, Texas with funeral services to follow on June 1st, 11:00 AM at Yancey United Methodist Church in Yancey, Texas.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First United Methodist Church of Yancy or First United Methodist Church of San Marcos, Texas.  

Arrangements by Pennington Funeral Home, San Marcos, Texas, 512-353-4311.