Lt. Col. Neil Vincent Mesler, (USAF – Retired) 91, of Alpharetta, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 15, 2025.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Col. Mesler entered the Air Force after high school. He became a navigator on the B-52, serving in Strategic Air Command. He served in both Korea and Vietnam. After his tour in Vietnam, Col. Mesler was transferred to Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, where he served as an instructor at Squadron Officer School. In this role, he taught military personnel from all over the world. After retiring in 1972, Col. Mesler moved the family to Atlanta, Georgia, where he taught Junior ROTC at Marist High School. In time, he became the Dean of Students.
He attended St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church.
During his working career, he obtained a B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska, an M.S. degree from Troy State and his J.D. from Woodrow Wilson School of Law.
He loved to golf, was a devoted fan of the Atlanta Braves, followed college and high school football, including the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the Marist Eagles.
He leaves behind his wife of 68 years, Dixie Ann (Austin) Mesler, daughter Carolyn M. Davis (Dave), sons Mark D. Mesler (Sharon) and Brian T. Mesler (Jodie), grandsons Neil (Jackie) and Adam (Allison) Davis, Nolan and Vincent Mesler, granddaughter Bella Mesler, and great-granddaughter, Neko Davis.
A funeral mass is scheduled at St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church, 11330 Woodstock Road, Roswell, Georgia for Monday, January 27th, at 10:30 a.m.
Interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery, 1080 Scott Hudgen Drive, Canton, Georgia, on Tuesday, January 28th at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Longleaf Hospice Foundation or the charity of your choice.