Thomas Harold Foye

RAPID CITY - Thomas Foye, 80, a lifelong resident of Rapid City, died Tuesday Feb. 1, 2011, from a fall at his home.

Tom was born Nov. 23, 1930, in Rapid City. He attended Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Grade School. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1948. Tom graduated with his B.A. degree from Creighton College of Commerce with a BSC degree and a major in accounting in 1952. In 1955, Tom received his LLB from Georgetown University Law Center. He was a member of the moot court team while a student at Georgetown. He was also awarded the Sewall Key award for excellence in taxation.

Upon graduation Tom spent three years as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice Tax Division. Tom tried civil tax cases all over the country on a variety of issues, winning more cases than he lost while gaining the respect of his adversaries for his keen abilities as a tax lawyer and for his sense of fairness.

In 1958 Tom returned to Rapid City and his beloved Black Hills to practice law with the Bangs McCullen Law firm where he was partner and managing partner. He was practicing law with the same firm at the time of his death. To a great many South Dakota lawyers Tom was considered the "Dean" of tax and trust and estate lawyers in the state because of his expertise.

Tom was elected chairman of the Pennington County Bar Association in 1962 and was elected chairman of the South Dakota State Bar Association in 1982. He was elected chancellor of the Jackrabbit Bar Association (the association of past regional State Bar Presidents) in 1986. He was former chairman of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section and of the Public Information Committee of the State Bar of South Dakota. Tom was a member and fellow of many American Bar Association boards, commissions, foundations, and academies. Tom served on the South Dakota Governors Task Force for Trust Law Reform since his appointment in 1997.

Tom was also a member of several local boards among them the Rapid City Regional Health Foundation Board and the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Rapid City. Tom was awarded the designation of Eagle Scout in 1948. He had his Eagle Scout card in his wallet at the time of his death.

Beyond his Catholic faith, family, friends, and law practice, Tom had a great love for the Black Hills. He spent as much of his free time as he could with family and friends water-skiing on the waters of Pactola Reservoir in the early mornings and evenings in the summer, and skiing at Terry Peak Ski Area in the winters.

In 1972, Tom married Laurene Fowler. Together they raised Laurene's sons, David and Stewart Snyder.

Tom was the second son of Harold Herbert Foye and Jean McCormick Foye. He was preceded in death by his parents; an older brother; his son, Dave Snyder; and his wife of 37 years, Laurene (Snyder) Foye.

Tom leaves behind his sister, Mary Jean (Foye) Murphy, Sioux Falls; his son, Stewart Snyder, and Stu's children, Travis and Ally, all of St. Louis; his nephew, Jeremiah M. Murphy, and his wife, Kaia of Rapid City, and their children Hunter, Chloe, and Dylan; his niece, Kathleen (Murphy) Stuck, and her husband, Brad, of Sioux Falls, and their children Tom, Treacy and Dan; and his nephew, Kevin John Murphy, of Sioux Falls and his son, Conor. Tom was followed in death by three days by his brother-in-law and great friend, Jeremiah D. Murphy of Sioux Falls.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 13, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, with a Christian wake service at 7 p.m.

Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 14, at the church, with Msgr. William O'Connell presiding. Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the Rapid City YMCA, 815 Kansas City St., Rapid City, SD 57701.

His online guestbook is available at www.osheim schmidt.com.