Col. Tom B. Foulk, Jr.

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.