SAN DIEGO, Calif. – Colonel (Ret.) Timothy J. Fenlason passed away in San Diego on June 19, 2025, following a brief battle with cancer. Born on Jan. 31, 1966, in Farmington, Maine, Tim was a proud graduate of Carrabec High School and Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in architectural engineering.

Tim entered the United States Army on November 26, 1989, and began what would become a long and distinguished career in both active duty and reserve service. In 1990, he completed both the Armor Officer Basic Course and the Scout Platoon Leader Course. His first overseas tour brought him to Germany, and shortly after, he was deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He returned to Germany in 1991, where he remained until separating from active duty on January 10, 1994, as a First Lieutenant.

Although his time on active duty ended, his commitment to the Army endured. In the years that followed, Tim continued to serve in the Army Reserve, expanding his expertise as a cavalry armor officer, a transportation officer, and ultimately, a logistics officer. His steady rise through the ranks to Colonel was a testament to his integrity, strategic mind, and unwavering work ethic.

Over the course of his military career, Tim was recognized with some of the Army’s highest honors. Among these were the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with a bronze oak leaf cluster, both reflecting his exceptional leadership and long-term service. His contributions during wartime earned him the Army Commendation Medal with three bronze oak leaf clusters and the Army Achievement Medal. He was also honored with the Army Valorous Unit Citation and the Joint Service Achievement Ribbon.

Tim’s service took him across the world, and his decorations reflect that global reach. He received the Southwest Asia Service Medal with three bronze stars for his service in the Gulf War, along with the Kuwaiti Liberation Medals from both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. His time abroad also earned him the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with a bronze star, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. Tim always put his soldiers first. His First Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Harold J Bodenschatz still states “Colonel Timothy Fenlason is the only officer who if he asked me to suit up and follow him into hell, I would do it, without hesitation.”

Beyond the US Army, Tim was a lifelong architect—a craft he practiced even in his childhood, building a play house for his younger sister and drawing life-sized blueprints in the driveway. For over 35 years, he built a respected civilian career designing and managing projects. Architecture was more than a profession for him; it was a personal passion that reflected his eye for detail, and his belief in building things that endured and were beautiful. Whether in the military or in his civilian life, Tim found fulfillment in solving problems, leading teams, and leaving every place better than he found it.

Tim inspired those around him, and his legacy will live on not just in the accolades he earned, but in the countless lives he influenced through mentorship, service, and friendship, values that were instilled in him from an early age by a family rooted in public service, hard work, and community responsibility. An incredibly loyal friend, Tim kept people close for decades, no matter the distance between them. He loved to embrace other cultures, learning several languages in his lifetime. He remembered everyone’s birthday and had a way with making us all feel special.

After meeting his true love, Rafael in 2010 Tim found a new lease on life, not waiting until retirement to live to the fullest. Tim and Rafa had many wonderful adventures in their world travels together and happily joined in marriage in 2017.

Tim is survived by his beloved husband, Rafael Pineda-Obregon of San Diego, who brought him so much joy each day; mother, Betty Dunphy Kempton of Embden, Maine; sister Lynda West (Robert) of Bangor, Maine, brother Steven Fenlason (Pamela) of Andover, Vt., sister Patricia Horgan (Sean) of Merrimac, Mass.; mother-in-law Maria Consuelo Obregon of Guatemala; sisters-in-law Silvia De Orellana, Alejandra De Galvez, Monica Pineda; Nora Briseida Obregon, cousin to Rafael; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins, whom he loved dearly.

Colonel Fenlason will honorably be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Spring 2026. A memorial will be held Sept. 21, 2025 at Carrabec High School in North Anson, Maine from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local animal rescue