Roger Foss

PHILO - Roger R. Foss, 69 of Philo, died Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana from heart complications following knee replacement surgery. The second of four sons, Roger was born on May 18, 1938 to Nile B. and Bernice Grace Saums Foss in the small town of St. Francisville in Lawrence County, Illinois. Mr. Foss attended elementary schools in St. Francisville and graduated from Arcola High School in 1956. He was a member of High School choral group and the Presbyterian Church in Arcola where he sang in the choir. Mr. Foss served in the United Sates Army 1958-1959 in Headquarters United States Army, (USARER), Heidelberg, Germany for 18 months, where he received a letter of commendation from Maj. Gen. Harold K. Johnson and early release in order to attend Eastern Illinois University. Shortly after moving to Pensacola, Florida and enrolling in Pensacola Jr. College, he was introduced to Mary Earleen Hoyle. They were married September 30, 1961. Mr. Foss found employment on Oct. 30, 1960 at Industrial Piping Supply, an industrial distributor of valve and fitting to the local industry, driving a truck and working in the warehouse. He was promoted to inside sales. After splitting off with three others to form their own company, Piping and Equipment, Mr. Foss, his wife Earleen and infant son Greg, moved to Baton Rouge, LA, in 1964 to help start one of ultimately several locations. It was here, as co-owner and vice-president and until his retirement in 1999, that Mr. Foss worked consistently displaying a unique and rare sense of fairness and integrity. These same qualities contributed to his equal and even greater success as a husband and father. His patience, humor, varied interests and infectious enthusiasm will leave a positive and lasting mark on his family and friends. His most endearing trait was his gift of encouragement and enthusiasm which inspired many with who he came in contact. His passions were his family, church, genealogy, reading and walks with his Border Collie, Cody at the dog park. He was a skilled craftsman and avid runner/biker. Mr. Foss was a trustee of Philo Presbyterian Church where one of his favorite activities was the men's Tuesday morning coffee. Mr. Foss is survived by his wife, of 42 years, Earleen; sons, Greg R. Foss and wife Jan of Shepperdsville, KY, Brian S. Foss and his wife Kim of Madison, AL; grandchildren, Amanda Melaine and Garrett Matthew Foss of Shepperdsville, KY, Annie Charlotte, Nile Hopson and Mary Saums Foss of Madison, AL; brothers, Donald Nile Foss and wife Clara of Oklahoma City, OK, Steven Foss and wife Joann of Navarre, FL, and Michael Foss and wife Anna of Springfield, MA. Mr. Foss was preceded in death by his parents, Nile and Grace Saums Foss. Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Wednesday Oct. 24, 2007 at Philo Presbyterian Church, 105 E. Jefferson St. Philo. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday at the church. Burial will follow at Locust Grove Cemetery, Philo. Pallbearers are Mr. Foss' friends and family. In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be made to Philo Presbyterian Church, 105 E. Jefferson St. Philo, IL 61864.