Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW FBI says no booby traps found at Malheur refuge ... Since You Asked: Canned corn OK for fishing, not for chumming ... Last hours of armed standoff play out online for listeners ... FBI says no booby traps found at Malheur refuge ... Since You Asked: Canned corn OK for fishing, not for chumming ... Last hours of armed standoff play out online for listeners ... A Tribute to Stan Foley Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 2:00 AM Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News A Tribute to Stan Foley Stanley James Foley was born December 21, 1932 in Gold Hill to the late Harry and Goldie Foley. Stan was one of six children born to Harry and Goldie. As a child, Stan lived a humble life as his father worked in the local orchards and then the cement plant and his mother raised the children. Stan is preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Ramona (Estremado) Foley and his son Kenneth Foley. He is survived by his children Mike Foley and Tootsi Hagglund, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Stan graduated from Gold Hill High School in 1951 and married his high school sweetheart Ramona Estremado on May 21, 1951. Their first child Kenneth Foley was born the following February. Mike, their second child, was born in 1954 and their only daughter Ramona (Tootsi) was born in 1957. Their first born, Kenneth, passed in 1991 at the age of 39 due to a heart attack. In 1960, Stan and Ramona settled their young family on Sardine Creek Road in Gold Hill. They built a modest home on the land that was given to them by Ramona’s father, Damian Estremado. Their property bustled with constant activity housing dozens of animals (including a pet spider monkey) and several horses for Ramona and Tootsi. Stan and the boys enjoyed motorcycles and fixing up cars. In later years, Stan kept his granddaughter’s horses at the house so that they could trail ride with their grandmother. He also added a swimming pool for the entire family to enjoy. Until his death, he would call and ask his grandchildren, “Are you coming swimming today? The pool is open”. As a young man, Stan worked in the woods logging trees. In 1949 he bought his own bulldozer and charged $3.00 an hour for hire. In 1965, he started his own excavation company, Foley Roads Incorporated. Stan was a smart man with a mind for business. In the 1970s he began landing $5 million dollar federal highway projects and he had 110 people on his payroll. He grew his small enterprise into a successful corporation that provided for his large family. Over the past 50 years, his corporation provided jobs and stability for hundreds of men and women of the Rogue Valley. Stan said, “There isn’t any secret (to success). You just work at it.” A business associate, Jim Wegs, has been quoted as saying, “Foley has an exceptional reputation…you don’t need anything on paper. All you need is a handshake.” Stan always had an appreciation for the outdoors. His hobbies included hunting, trips to Alaska, piloting aircrafts and chatting with friends at local diners. It is probably true that his most loved hobby was flying. Stan earned his pilot’s license in 1957 and had logged well over 15,000 miles in his three twin-engine planes. He flew to place bids on out-of-state jobs and to take short weekend vacations. Stan said, “(flying) is the safest way to travel”, having never had an accident flying. Stan is best known in the community for his charitable purchases, work and generous spirit. His overwhelming support of the local 4H and FFA youth through the Junior Livestock Auction is admirable. As of 1992, Stan had bought more grand champion livestock in Jackson County than any other buyer. He also donated his work crew and equipment to the Jackson County Expo to improve the livestock showing conditions, driving conditions and overall look of the fair grounds. In 2014, Stan received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the “Friends of the Fairgrounds Foundation”. The organization also honored Stan by placing a custom gate bearing his name at the livestock entrance to the fairgrounds. Stan also supported the Crater Foundation. The Crater Foundation raises money to give every Crater High School graduate a scholarship for college and/or vocational school. It is safe to say, that when the community needed Stan’s help, he was there. In addition to what was previously mentioned, Stan was an honorable Central Point Rotary Club member, Elks Lodge, and Moose Lodge member. His contributions to these organizations will always be appreciated. Stan lived an incredible life and had cheated death several times. In the late-eighties he was in a major traffic accident that ejected him from the cab of his small truck. Stan’s body skidded down the road before coming to a stop. He suffered significant injuries. While his body did heal, the right side of his face was permanently affected. In the early nineties he underwent open heart surgery to repair clogged arteries, and 10 years later he was diagnosed with cancer and endured chemotherapy and radiation. The past three years were excruciating for Stan as he endured the constant deterioration of his jaw as a result of his cancer treatments. He was in Avamere Crestview of Portland recovering from his jaw surgery at OHSU at the time of his death. Stan was laid to rest, next to Ramona, in the family cemetery within the Rock Point Cemetery in Gold Hill. Per Stan’s request, his son Mike excavated the site and only the immediate family was present. Stan was born into a large family with limited means. Because of his immense work ethic and business sense, Stan was able to catapult himself out of poverty. Stan lived a wonderfully long life, full of hard work, family, adventure and charity. His death is an incredible loss for his family and all that knew him. For those who wish to reminisce and celebrate Stan’s incredible life, please join us Sunday August 30 th from 11-2pm at the Padgham Pavilion at the Jackson County Expo in Central Point. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 23, 2015 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501