Edward George Fayak – Norman, Okla., formerly of Monessen

Edward George Fayak, 81, of Norman, Okla., passed away peacefully at home and into the arms of his Heavenly Father on June 10, 2022. He was surrounded by his loving family. Edward was born on July 11, 1940, to Ann Polacek Fayak and Michael Fayak in Monessen. He attended Holy Name School during his primary years and graduated from Monessen High School in 1958. He then went on to receive his bachelor of science degree in economics and political science from St. Vincent College in Latrobe in 1962, and his master’s degree in human relations from Webster College in St. Louis, Mo., in 1977. Edward faithfully served his country as a major in the United States Air Force for 22 years, beginning in 1962 and ending with his retirement in 1984. He was a navigator with over 13,000 hours of flying time. He began his career with flight school in Texas (where he met his wife, Ilene) and followed that with service as a navigator at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. He then served his country from 1967-68 in Vietnam, where he completed over 127 combat missions. He then served as an instructor navigator at Charleston Air Force Base from 1967-72. From 1972-80, he served at Altus Air Force Base in Altus, Okla., as a chief navigator and flight examiner navigator. He and his family then moved overseas from 1980-83 where he served as the director of the Command and Control Division for Zaragoza Air Force Base in Zaragoza, Spain, where he provided strategic air emergency action instructions to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NATO and the European Command. He then returned to Altus Air Force Base in 1983 where he finished his military service as the Chief of Airfield Management. Edward received numerous awards and honors including The Distinguished Flying Cross, two Meritorious Service Medals and many Air Force Commendation medals, including the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Vietnam Service medal among many others. Following his military retirement, Edward became the vice president of operations and general manager at Lee Office Equipment in Altus, Okla. He was also very involved in the community, serving on numerous boards including the United Way of Southwest Oklahoma, the Altus Chamber of Commerce, the Military Affairs Committee, the Air Force Association and the Great Plains Literacy Council. He was also a member of Sen. Jim Inhofe’s task force for Veteran Affairs, as well as serving on the finance committee for Congressman Frank Lucas. Upon final retirement, Edward and his wife Ilene moved to Norman, Okla., to be close to his children and grandchildren. Edward was preceded in death by his mother and father, Ann and Michael Fayak; a sister, Rosemarie Fayak; and a brother, Carl Fayak. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Ilene Matus Fayak; one son, Brian Fayak and his wife Jill; and one daughter, Renee Bauman and her husband Sean. He is also survived by six adoring grandchildren who were his world, Jordan Fayak and Michael Fayak of Norman, Okla., and Graci Fayak of Denver, Colo., as well as Brynn, Brooke and Luke Bauman, all of Norman, Okla. He is survived by two sisters, Dolores Gembarosky of Mars, Pa., and Ruth Bielawski of Carroll Township; as well as two sisters-in-law, Kathleen Matus of Irving, Texas, and Rita Jones of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; in addition to many nieces and nephews. A private family service will be held to honor Edward’s life at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Norman, Okla. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Disabled American Veterans Charity at dav.org, or the Oklahoma Blood Institute at obi.org.