Francis X. "Buck" Foley

Mr. Francis X. "Buck" Foley, age 85, of Rome, GA, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Mr. Foley was born in Boston, MA, on January 25, 1941, son of the late Francis X. Foley and the late Dorothy Barstow Foley. He received his associates degree from Jacksonville State University, his undergraduate degree from Chaminade University, and his MBA from Austin Peay State University. Mr. Foley is a retired veteran of the United States Army, having actively served our country for over 20 years. He spent the first 8 years of his military service with the United States Air Force before enlisting with the United States Army, spending over 12 years in the branch before retirement. After his retirement from the military, he spent the rest of his career with various colleges where he was a lecturer and a network administrator. Mr. Foley began at Embry Riddle University and then went to work at Austin Peay State University. He then taught at Berry College, where he also wired the entire campus allowing the integration of computers, before making his last stop at Mississippi State University where he retired as a lecturer and Director of Academic Computing. He was a member the International Rotary Club.

Mr. Foley was a determined man who accomplished everything he set his mind to. Always determined to be a pilot he fulfilled the goal after starting as a gunner on B-52's during his first two tours in Vietnam and making his final tour in Vietnam as a pilot. He also served a short tour in Korea and was the pilot of the "Birddog" and "Otter" aircrafts. Mr. Foley was truly a man's man and a real-life hero to his family who were enamored at the handsome man walking around their house in the flight suit and Aviator sunglasses. He was a dear friend to so many, but his family was truly the light of his life. Mr. Foley loved to cook for his family and loved eating, passing along a gene to his family giving them ability to eat far more than they should. After his retirement, Mr. Foley loved traveling with his wife, this time for pleasure and not on assignment.

Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Nicky Farmer Foley, Rome; 2 daughters, Shannon Hendrix-Caplinger (Tom Caplinger); Sharpsburg, GA, and Erin Stone (Jamie), Rome; 8 grandchildren, Nick Epstein (Kerri), Noah Epstein (Ashley), Noel Elhabbassi (Jake), Ben Caplinger, Allie Groover (Phillip), Cassie Barras (Tyler), Parker Stone, and Nora Stone; 11 great grandchildren; 2 siblings, Kevin Foley (Joanne), and Anita Giunta (John); nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 12pm on Friday, February 6, 2026, in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, with his grandson, Nick Epstein, officiating. Interment will follow in Georgia National Cemetery where military honors will be presented.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 10am until service at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel.

Pallbearers are to assemble by 1:30pm on Thursday at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, and include: Nick Epstein, Noah Epstein, Parker Stone, Tom Caplinger, Jamie Stone, Jake Elhabbassi, and Tyler Barras.

Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel, is honored to serve the family of Mr. Francis X. "Buck" Foley.