Roll Call Tribute

Terence L. Casteel, Col. USAF (Ret)
Class of 1967
10/07/1945 – 04/11/2020

Terry proudly served his country for 30 years, beginning in Vietnam. This was followed by an exchange pilot assignment with the German Luftwaffe, then on to the special operations world, flying the MC-130E aircraft with the 7th SOS in Germany and eventually commanding the same. While working as a liaison officer with the Army at Fort Bragg, he completed the US Army Special Forces Qualification Course and earned the Green Beret. He was a special operator to the end.

Col. Casteel would have retired a general officer, but he remained true to himself and those in his command with no regrets; he exemplified the Aggie Core Values - Excellence, Integrity, Leadership, Loyalty, Respect, and Selfless Service. Remembered as a true warrior, Terry remains well respected within the special operations community. Known as Uncle Terry, he passed these traits on to the USAF MC-130H students he taught as a Lockheed simulator instructor in military retirement. We are so proud of his accomplishments while serving his country and his family.

Known by his family simply as brother, husband, father and “Poppaw", Terry is survived by his wife, Karen of 52 years; two sons, Kevin and Shane and their wives, Chris and Veva; four grandchildren, Cameron (USMC), Christian, Zoë and Sadie; two brothers, Carleton and Robin, and two sisters, Nicole and Michelle.


While at Texas A&M Colonel Casteel was a Commissioned Officer, he was in Squadron 11 and Squadron 14. He was also a part of the MSC Town Hall. Colonel Casteel was a graduate of Texas A&M Class of 1967 with a degree in Modern Languages.