Published: November 06, 2009 04:10 pm      

James Elton Foley Jr

James Elton Foley Jr. died peacefully at home on November 4, 2009 surrounded by his loving family. He had battled lung cancer valiantly for over a year and passed away just shy of his 76th birthday.

Family will greet friends at Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Funeral services will be at University Heights Baptist Church, Stillwater, on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m., and graveside services will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Pauls Valley at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8.

Elton was born at Blue Heaven, just south of Chickasha, on December 3, 1933 to James Elton Foley Sr. and Irene Poe Foley.

He graduated from Chickasha High School and attended Oklahoma Baptist University for one year before transferring to Oklahoma University. He graduated from OU with a double major in Business Management and Psychology in 1954.

True to his selfless nature, Elton volunteered to enter the draft serving two years in El Paso for this great nation.

He married the love of his life, Molly Sue Schwartz, in the summer of 1956. He worked in South Louisiana as an accountant for Humble Oil and Refining Company (now known as Exxon) prior to relocating to Stillwater in 1970.

Elton began his successful entrepreneurial career by opening a franchise Burger Chef (where Charlie’s Chicken is today) and later Stillwater Western World. Although most notably Elton will be remembered for the mark he made as a broker/realtor with Century 21 for over 33 years.

His ability to put together an honest deal was surpassed only by his knack for building a friendship with a smile and a handshake.

Through the years, Elton served in many civic roles: President of the Stillwater Board of Realtors, Charter Member of the Exchange Club, Member of the Stillwater Airport Authority and the American Legion.

He devoted much of his energy to University Heights Baptist Church, serving as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, teacher and faithful greeter. He facilitated the purchase and sale of numerous buildings surrounding the church as it grew.

Elton is survived by his wife, Molly Sue Foley; daughter, Karen Fletcher of Tulsa and daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Dean Truitt of Minneapolis, Minn.; grandchildren: Angela Truitt of Chicago, Illinois, Mindy Truitt of Fullerton, California and Jeff Truitt of Kansas City, Kansas; as well as numerous friends and family. Elton was the son-in-law of Jasper and Lora Schwartz.

God and his holy flock of angels must be rejoicing today – they just received one of the best this world has to offer.

Memorial gifts may be made in his name to Stillwater Medical Center Foundation, P.O. Box 2408, Stillwater, OK 74076 or Visiting Nurse Association of Tulsa, 7875 E. 51st. Street, Tulsa, OK 74145.

Condolences may be sent and an online obituary may be seen by visiting HYPERLINK “http://www.strodefh.com” www.strodefh.com.