Michael Gordon Folse

1934 - 2021

Michael "Mike " Gordon Folse

Michael "Mike" Gordon Folse, 87, died peacefully in his sleep on December 11, 2021, at Willow Bend Assisted Living in Denton, TX. He was born in Beaumont, TX on May 5, 1934, the son of Whitney and Ozie Ophelia "Jackie" (Walsworth) Folse.

Mike would attend 21 schools before attending Adamson High School in Dallas, TX for 3 years and graduating in 1951 at 17 years old. He attended Texas A&M into his second semester before returning to Oak Cliff due to his father's health in early 1952 where he worked in Dallas to help support his parents. The following year he married his high school sweetheart, JoAnn Sisk on April 30, 1953. Mike and JoAnn had four children, Michael "Lance", Warren "Lee", John Leslie "Les" and Kelly Ann.

Mike was active in ROTC in high school, in the Corp at A&M, and later was in the Texas Air National Guard from 1953-1962. Upon marrying, he went to work at Harper Engineering in Dallas, TX doing aeronautic contract engineering work. This led to Mike being hired at Bell Helicopter when he was only 19 years where he worked as an engineer for 17 years. He is credited with the design concept of the Cobra. The drawing of the Cobra that he conceived and was used to build ship #1 is presently in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. Mike later moved his family to Cuchara, CO. where he built & opened Spanish Peaks Inn and went on to build homes in the valley.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his loving wife, JoAnn of 52 years, and his second wife, Janet Crawford Folse. Surviving are sons, Lance Folse (Carolene), Lee Folse (Crystal), Les Folse (Connie) all of Texas and daughter, Kelly Popejoy (Sid) of Colorado; 11 grandchildren, Maran, Ashlee, Casey, Michael, Amanda, Nicholas, Whitney, Emmett, Jr., Cody, Austen and Bobby; 14 great grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Oakmont Country Club, 1901 Oakmont, Dr., Corinth, TX 76210 in the Azalea Room.

Final resting place will be next to his father and wife, JoAnn in La Veta, Colorado with a burial service summer of 2022.