It is with great sadness to have learned of Uncle Tommy's passing.He was an extroidinary man of great accompishment. To me persoanlly, he was and remans an enduring figure not only in my early life in Wheeling butup and through today-and forever always.He led by example.His sense of humor was both infectious and puckish. I know him as a devoted loving father and was reminded of that when my mother died and he came to Memphis. I am very grateful that all members of his family gathered in Wheeling six years ago for a wonderful memorable reunion
Col. Tom B. Foulk, Jr.
January 23, 1922 ~ January 28, 2011
Colonel Tom B. Foulk, Jr., 89, of Lake Charles (formerly of Wheeling and Morgantown, WV) died Friday, January 28, 2011 in the comfort of his daughter Judy's home.
Tom was born in Wheeling, WV, the son of Tom B. Foulk and Alice McClure Foulk, on Jan 23, 1922. He attended public schools in Wheeling then Millard Prep School and Bethany College before entering the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY. Tom graduated from USMA in June 1943 with a bachelor's degree in engineering and qualified as an Army Aviator in the US Army Air Corps in just three years. After graduation, Tom qualified as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot in P-40, P-51, P-36, and P-47 aircraft. He was assigned to multiple bases throughout the US as a fighter pilot before being transferred to the Pacific Theater of Operations in the latter years of World War II.
Following further service in Hawaii from 1945 to 1948 as a fighter pilot, Tom transferred to the newly established US Air Force and was assigned to various bases in the US before being deployed to Misawa AFB in Japan. Following service in Japan and Korea, Tom was assigned back to the US in several different positions. In 1960, he was assigned to Clark AFB, Philippines, where he commanded the 605th Tactical Communications Squadron, which he later deployed to Danang, Republic of Viet Nam. He also commanded the 1961st Communication Group at Clark AFB. Later assignments included service with the Defense Communications Agency in Arlington, VA, and the Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Tom's last assignment was back to Clark AFB as commander of the 1st Mobile Communications Group, which had units stationed throughout South East Asia, including Viet Nam.
Tom was deployed to Viet Nam during the Lam Son 719 invasion by North Viet Namese forces. Tom returned to Wheeling, WV, and retired as a Colonel with 29 plus years of service. During his career, Tom was awarded the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device. Additionally, he was awarded service and campaign awards from World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. Tom was a Command Pilot with over 3600 flying hours in fighters, bombers, utility, and cargo aircraft. One of the highlights of his flying career was flying in a UH-1H helicopter with his son, Tom III, an Army Aviator then stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield with the 25th Infantry Division.
Tom was appointed to the West Virginia Parole Board and served for approximately five years. He was then appointed to the Ohio County Housing Authority as the Executive Director and served for five years before fully retiring in 1981 to enjoy stamp collecting, golf, tennis, and travel. He was an avid life-long fan of the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team.
He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Jane Hare Foulk of Lake Charles; four children, Susan Foulk Graves and husband Dr. Robert Graves of Morgantown, WV, Col. Tom B. Foulk, III and wife Judi of Alexandria, VA, Judy Polansky and husband John of Lake Charles, and Dr. Julie Foulk Nash and husband Dr. James Nash of Exeter, NH; ten grandchildren, Andrea Graves Hinerman and husband William, Erica Graves Todd and husband Chris, Jenn J. Foulk Hare and husband Jeffrey, Christopher Bond Foulk and wife Lisa, John "Trey" Polansky, III and wife Erin, Ryan, Matthew and Alex Polansky and Jessica and David Nash; eight great- grandchildren, Abigail, Samuel and Jacob Todd; Emma, Jack and Kate Hare; and Rylan and Samantha Polansky; one sister, Mary Louise Clark of Atlanta, GA, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas B. and Alice Belle McClure Foulk and two sisters, Katherine Belle Mazure and Elizabeth Hopkins.
Memorial services will be at 5:00 PM Wednesday, February 02, 2011 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Peter Cook will officiate. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia, will be at a later date. Gathering of friends will be from 4:00 PM until the time of service in the funeral home.
The family of Col. Foulk wishes to extend sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of Brighton Bridge Hospice and special care takers, Ola Richard, Valerie Wideman, Debbie Thomas, and Alice Chapman for their excellence in care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brighton Bridge Hospice, 616 Court Street, Oberlin, LA 70655 or the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Ste. 100, Jacksonville, FL, 32256.
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Colonel Tom B. Foulk, Jr., 89, of Lake Charles (formerly of Wheeling and Morgantown, WV) died Friday, January 28, 2011 in the comfort of his daughter Judy's home.
Tom was born in Wheeling, WV, the son of Tom B. Foulk and Alice McClure Foulk, on Jan 23, 1922. He attended public schools in Wheeling then Millard Prep School and Bethany College before entering the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY. Tom graduated from USMA in June 1943 with a bachelor's degree in engineering and qualified as an Army Aviator in the US Army Air Corps in just three years. After graduation, Tom qualified as a fighter pilot and instructor pilot in P-40, P-51, P-36, and P-47 aircraft. He was assigned to multiple bases throughout the US as a fighter pilot before being transferred to the Pacific Theater of Operations in the latter years of World War II. Following further service in Hawaii from 1945 to 1948 as a fighter pilot, Tom transferred to the newly established US Air Force and was assigned to various bases in the US before being deployed to Misawa AFB in Japan. Following service in Japan and Korea, Tom was assigned back to the US in several different positions. In 1960, he was assigned to Clark AFB, Philippines, where he commanded the 605th Tactical Communications Squadron, which he later deployed to Danang, Republic of Viet Nam. He also commanded the 1961st Communication Group at Clark AFB. Later assignments included service with the Defense Communications Agency in Arlington, VA, and the Strategic Air Command at Offutt AFB, Nebraska. Tom's last assignment was back to Clark AFB as commander of the 1st Mobile Communications Group, which had units stationed throughout South East Asia, including Viet Nam. Tom was deployed to Viet Nam during the Lam Son 719 invasion by North Viet Namese forces. Tom returned to Wheeling, WV, and retired as a Colonel with 29 plus years of service. During his career, Tom was awarded the Legion of Merit (two awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device. Additionally, he was awarded service and campaign awards from World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam. Tom was a Command Pilot with over 3600 flying hours in fighters, bombers, utility, and cargo aircraft. One of the highlights of his flying career was flying in a UH-1H helicopter with his son, Tom III, an Army Aviator then stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield with the 25th Infantry Division. Tom was appointed to the West Virginia Parole Board and served for approximately five years. He was then appointed to the Ohio County Housing Authority as the Executive Director and served for five years before fully retiring in 1981 to enjoy stamp collecting, golf, tennis, and travel. He was an avid life-long fan of the West Virginia University Mountaineer football team.
He leaves to honor his memory, his loving wife of 68 years, Mary Jane Hare Foulk of Lake Charles; four children, Susan Foulk Graves and husband Dr. Robert Graves of Morgantown, WV, Col. Tom B. Foulk, III and wife Judi of Alexandria, VA, Judy Polansky and husband John of Lake Charles, and Dr. Julie Foulk Nash and husband Dr. James Nash of Exeter, NH; ten grandchildren, Andrea Graves Hinerman and husband William, Erica Graves Todd and husband Chris, Jenn J. Foulk Hare and husband Jeffrey, Christopher Bond Foulk and wife Lisa, John "Trey" Polansky, III and wife Erin, Ryan, Matthew and Alex Polansky and Jessica and David Nash; eight great- grandchildren, Abigail, Samuel and Jacob Todd; Emma, Jack and Kate Hare; and Rylan and Samantha Polansky; one sister, Mary Louise Clark of Atlanta, GA, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas B. and Alice Belle McClure Foulk and two sisters, Katherine Belle Mazure and Elizabeth Hopkins.
Memorial services will be at 5:00 PM Wednesday, February 02, 2011 in the Johnson Funeral Home Chapel. Father Peter Cook will officiate. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling, West Virginia, will be at a later date. Gathering of friends will be from 4:00 PM until the time of service in the funeral home.
The family of Col. Foulk wishes to extend sincere gratitude to the nurses and staff of Brighton Bridge Hospice and special care takers, Ola Richard, Valerie Wideman, Debbie Thomas, and Alice Chapman for their excellence in care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brighton Bridge Hospice, 616 Court Street, Oberlin, LA 70655 or the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Pkwy, Ste. 100, Jacksonville, FL, 32256.
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Both David and I send our heartfelt condelences for your loss. When I was a teenager and my parents were going through a divorce, I spent a lot of time with my best friend, Julie, at her home in Wheeling. Col. and Mrs. Foulk always made me feel welcome, like part of their family – which meant the world to me then, and now. I will never forget how the Col. always called Julie and me out the pike swells – Julie Fine and Sue Swell. Wonderful memories that will be with me always.
Dear Mrs. Foulk, Judy, Julie, Sue, Tom, We are very sorry for your loss. Col. Foulk was a special person in my life as I was growing up and becoming an adult. He was truly a kindred spirit to me and at various times in my life even when I hadn't seen him for years, some events would bring him to mind. Love you guys and just know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.Cindy
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time. Tom was a very sweet, loving man and only wanted the best. He loved his family very much and would do anything for them. I miss working with Tom Mary Jane the past year and a half or so, they taught me alot as I helped them. I will always remember the Col. as if he were part of my own family. To Judy Sue I am so sorry for your loss, he is in a better place now and will always be smiling down on you. Stay strong Mary Jane we all love you too!
Please accept my deepest sympathy. You are in my prayers. I worked with the Tenant Services Office (social services) of the Wheeling Housing Authority when Col. Foulk was the Executive Director. This was my first real job and he was quite an imposing figure! I soon found Col. Foulk to be an inspirational leader who was firm and fair. He cared about his employees and the residents.
Sincerest sympathy to Mrs. Foulk and the family. I had the honor of living next door on Poplar Avenue in Wheeling and have been living in the house the Colonel resided in as a young fellow for 22 years. What a wonderful guy, he will be sadly missed.God Bless,Marilyn L. Robinson
To The Foulk Family, Your Father was a well respected solid individual who will be remembered by me as a stern but kind neighbor! My best to the entire family. Christine
To the Foulk Family: I served under the leadership of Col. Foulk, during his last command with the First Mobile Comm. Gp. (AFCS), Clark Air Base, PI. Col. Foulk was far more than just a great commander. He was also an excellent mentor and motivator and I am forever indebted for the vast knowledge acquired under his spirited direction. I soon discovered much of his wisdom and valuable lessons bestowed upon subordinates applied not just to the military, but everyday life as well. Many of those lessons, imparted directly and absorbed indirectly by close observation, fondly remain to this day. Col. Foulk made us a part of his military family, an especially endearing gesture since we were young and far from home. I often recall his magnetic personality and effortless ability through shear demeanor to convey his interest in our mission and role in his family, enhancing our job performance and his position of authority, engendering escalating esteem and respect. Col. Foulk was matched by few. He was in charge and always in control and if he liked our work product, he was our most loyal supporter. No one had to guess where they stood with Colonel Foulk and everyone in his command became better from his relentless standards and seamless ability to dispense praise just as quickly and freely as deserved admonition. Those traits and many more are the qualities I recall whenever I think of Col. Foulk and those memorable days with the 1st Mob, which, incidentally, is often. I regret your loss. America lost an irreplaceable hero and those who served under Col. Foulk lost a leader/mentor we will always admire, respect and remember. I am grateful our paths crossed and hope being in his command somehow meant as much to him as it did and will always mean to me. Rest in Peace. Lawrence E. (Larry) Chapanar