Carl was born at the Routt County Memorial Hospital in Steamboat Springs on July 9, 1942. A longtime resident of Yampa, Colorado, he was the grandson of original pioneers of the upper Egeria valley Jim and Myrtie (Crossan) Macfarlane and the first son of Bill and Wilma Macfarlane of Yampa. Carl was in the last class to graduate from Yampa Union High School in 1960 before the schools were consolidated. He joined the Air Force in January of 1962 and retired Chief Master Sergeant in February, 1985. He married Roxie Koeppen in Topeka, Kansas in 1964 and they had 2 daughters, Kellie Woolf and Shannon Landrum. Just about the time he was to complete his 4 years in the Air Force, a decision was made to re-enlist and Carl volunteered for world-wide duty. In Aug. 1967, Vietnam was at its peak and Carl was selected for reassignment to Travis AFB, CA. for duty in the port separation center. During this period, he was reassigned to Nakhon Phanom, Thailand in Feb. 1969. While in Thailand, his primary job was in the Base Personnel Office, but he volunteered his off duty time to kick flares and leaflets. In this capacity, he flew 70 combat missions and was awarded 3 Air Medals. Carl was based in Hawaii for several years while working in the Pacific Theater. Roxie and Carl were divorced in 1973 and he was transferred to Great Falls, Mt. in 1974. Performing officer duties in the Personnel Office, Carl's career was taking off and his performance was often recognized by higher headquarters. Fishing and hunting were the norm on this assignment, and a lot of time was spent with friends in Salmon, ID. In March, 1977, Carl was reassigned to Offutt AFB, NE. as a member of the Inspector General Team for Strategic Air Command. Carl was tasked to inspect all SAC personnel offices, a nuclear surety program, disaster preparedness and operational readiness programs for active duty, Reserve & Guard bases on a no-notice basis. For the next 2 1/2 years, Carl found himself traveling to over 30 different states and to places as far reaching as Guam & England. He worked closely with the Defense Nuclear Agency and the AF Department of Nuclear Surety in maintaining the safety & security of the largest nuclear inventory in the world. His efforts were rewarded in being selected for promotion to CMSgt (E9) in just under 18 years of active service. The Air Force Personnel Office, wanting to capitalize on Carl's vast knowledge of the AF personnel and its interaction with operational readiness, security & safety, reassigned him to the same duties at HQ USAFE/NATO in Ramstein/Kapaun, Germany in March 1980. Frequent visits to most European countries made this one of his most educational & enlightening tours. Carl's reassignment at this time was back to Malmstrom AFB, MT.. Having reached top grade & retirement eligibility, Carl knew this would be the last assignment of his military career. Following his retirement, Carl lived in Colorado Springs before moving back to Yampa where he moved into the original family home previously owned by his grandfather and father. Carl started helping an old friend, Mike Martindale, as a ranch hand and with his guide and outfitting business. Carl didn’t ask for any pay as he enjoyed the work and the new lifestyle. Carl worked as a bartender at the VFW in Oak Creek, Houseman at the Ranch Condos in Steamboat, and West Slope equipment salesman for Adams Equipment out of Littleton, CO. While selling equipment, he met and married his current wife, Tracy A. Koler on February 27, 1993. Tracy was 20 years his junior and a local girl from Oak Creek. She was working as a cook/waitress in the VFW and Colorado Cafe in Oak Creek when they met, and they have been married for 22 years. In 1995, Carl went to work for his longtime friend & neighbor, Jim Bratton. He worked as a weigh-master, haul-truck driver and screening plant/crusher operator in the McCoy cinder (scoria) pit on Conger Mesa until his second retirement in 2006. After his retirement, Tracy and Carl accomplished many improvements to the family home and enjoyed their family and friends with many parties in the Carl & Tracy’s Party Palace recreation room they created. He contracted ALS in 2013, so Carl and Tracy spent a great deal of their time with his brother Marcus and his wife at their home in Mesa, AZ. where he died the evening of February 5th, 2015. Carl’s remains will be cremated and brought back to Yampa for burial. A graveside military service is planned for June or July to be followed by the best party ever at the Carl and Tracy’s Party Palace.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Wilma Macfarlane, and his Sister Sandy Fischer. He is survived by his wife Tracy, brother Marcus Macfarlane of Mesa, AZ., sister Marsha Macfarlane of Cedaredge, CO., Daughter Kellie Woolf of Erie, KS., Daughter Shannon Landrum of Brandon, FL., five nephews, 1 niece, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
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Obituary for Carl Alden Macfarlane
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