George Vercil Fetchik

“And may you and all your family wake up every morning.”

George Vercil Fetchik

July 7, 1935 – January 2, 2026 

Isleta, New Mexico

George V. Fetchik was born on July 7, 1935, in Musselshell, MT to the late George and Susan Fetchik. In 1939, at just four years old, after a mining accident that killed his father, the family moved back to Johnstown, PA where his mother had family, and he spent the remainder of his years growing up in the Bon Air Mountain Community of Johnstown. He passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, at the age of 90 1/2.

Right out of high school, George enlisted in the United States Army National Guard as a tractor operator from March to December 1953. Though records are unclear between 1953 and 1955, George joined the Air Force (USAF) in 1955 and was initially selected for training as a Target System Mechanic in the B-47 Stratojet bomber at Lowry AFB, Denver. Following his first re- enlistment in the USAF, George was soon selected for the highly selective Ballistic Missile maintenance career field and remained in that career field, serving in many critical positions to include as trainer and maintenance superintendent at various locations to include Pease AFB, NH, Vandenberg AFB, CA, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Blytheville AFB, AR, and McConnell AFB, KS where he retired. George was honorably retired on 30 September 1977, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant. During his more than 20-year career in Strategic Air Command (SAC), at the height of the Cold War, George’s patriotism, professional skills, technical knowledge, and superior management ability were decisive factors in maintaining Titan II Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) – a key piece of the nuclear triad – ensuring operational status under his watch, safeguarding the country 24/7/365.

Following retirement from the USAF, George received air conditioning and refrigeration training, performed building maintenance, and worked in telecommunications with Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute (TVI). He continued to serve his community and received firemen’s training and served as a volunteer fire fighter in Isleta Pueblo in the 1980’s.

George leaves behind an unmatched legacy of love, dedication, and unwavering devotion to his family. He will be fondly remembered as a lively, storytelling, selfless, and fun-loving person. Willing to literally give the shirt off his back to anyone in need. His dedication to his country and community was an inspiration to all.

George is survived by his wife, Maria (Daisy); his daughter, Melanie Nixon and her husband Greg Nixon, and granddaughter Skylar Nixon and her husband Drew Bannon and great granddaughters, Addilynn and Teagan Bannon; granddaughter, Ashley Nixon; stepson, Joe Jojola and his wife Joan Jojola. He is also survived by grandchildren, Ann-Marie Jojola and her husband Marco Fiorito and great granddaughter Augustine Fiorito and great grandson Lucian Fiorito; granddaughters Susan Jojola, Joy Jojola, Jennifer Jojola-Tyler and her husband Kenneth J. Tyler and great grandchildren Mikajah and Jerilyn Tomlinson, Milly Jojola, Arwen aka “Goose,” Daenerys, and Roland Tyler; and grandson Raymond Jojola. He is also survived by his siblings Joe Fetchik and his wife Thelma Fetchik; and Richard Fetchik and his wife Marian Fetchik and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by four of his six siblings William Fetchik, Virginia Chromy, Elaine Kranjac, and James Fetchik.

Friends and family are invited to attend the following at St Augustine Catholic Church in Isleta Pueblo on January 29, 2026—viewing at 10:00am, rosary at 10:30am, and Mass at 11:00am. Friends and family are welcome to join us for a reception at the Religious Ed Building immediately following Mass. A memorial service will be held the following day, January 30, 2026, at 9:00am, at Trujillo Family Funeral Home Chapel, located at 110 Alverado Dr SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Interment to follow at 12:30pm at Santa Fe National Cemetery where full military honors will be bestowed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring and compassionate professionals at

Trujillo Family Funeral Home

"Our Family Serving Yours"