Eugene Foltz

Eugene Perry Foltz, 81, of Jefferson, passed from this life on Tuesday, September 25 at his residence.

Born at home in Bunker Hill, WV on February 8, 1937, he was the second of seven children born to Perry Eugene Foltz and Ida Lee (Eversole) Foltz. He was predeceased by his parents, and brother Merrell Keith Foltz.

Gene attended Pikeside Elementary School in WV, transferred to Middletown High prior to attending and graduating from the “old” Brunswick High School (BHS) in 1955.  During his high school years, he played basketball and soccer, and worked on various local farms to help the family.  He joined the 167th Air National Guard (ANG) in November of 1955.  In 1962 he began his collegiate career and graduated from Shepherd College, Shepherdstown, WV in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education.  He started his teaching and coaching career at Warren County High School, Front Royal, VA, where he taught biology and coached track, football and basketball.  Gene was recruited to help start the football program at BHS in 1968, so he moved his family and career to Brunswick, MD.  He taught physical education at Brunswick Elementary (BES) and then continued teaching physical education at BHS.  While teaching at BES and BHS, he also coached football, basketball, and track, while earning his master’s degree in 1974 from Shippensburg State College in Education, specializing in counseling.  After serving as a guidance counselor at BHS and head football coach his last four years at BHS, he left education and transferred full-time at the 167th ANG.  He served in many positions while at the guard and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in June of 1995.  Gene played fast pitch softball and coached the ANG Softball Men’s slow pitch softball while serving.  During this time, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge 191, Brunswick, MD while also officiating many Frederick County basketball games, a member of IAABO Board 214, and umpired many slow pitch softball games.

While attending Shepherd College, he met his wife, Carole Ann (Rogers) Foltz.  Gene and Carole were married 54 years and lifelong residents of Jefferson, MD.  Gene is also survived by his children; Laurie and husband, David Lambert of Harpers Ferry, WV; Bradley and wife, Taree Foltz of Brunswick, MD; Marc and wife, Holli Foltz of Jefferson, MD; and Julie and husband, Chad Hartman of Keedysville, MD.  His 12 grandchildren were one of his greatest joys, who called him “Pap”; Zachary and Alycia Lambert; Kyle, wife Katie, Nathan, fiancé Amanda, Ty, and Tanner Foltz; Ethan and Max Foltz; and Gavin, Haylee, Mylee, and Raelyn Hartman.  He is also survived by two great grandchildren, Cade and Brantley Foltz.  Gene is survived by his five sisters, Patricia Pry, husband Richard; Shirley Ridgeway, husband Lee; Donna Wenner, husband Tommy; Rose Barger; and Delores Axline, husband Johnny. He was predeceased by his parents, a brother Merrell Keith Foltz, a brother-in-law Marshall “Buzz” Barger and two nephews, Jason Axline and Scott Pry.

Among his other activities while raising his family, he enjoyed coaching youth girls’ softball and basketball, fishing and hunting with his family and friends, and following his children and grandchildren as they played sports year-round.

The Foltz’s are members of the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Jefferson, MD.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 27 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM and 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1100 North Maple Avenue, Brunswick.  A celebration of Gene's life will take place on Friday, September 28 at 10:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3864 Jefferson Pike, Jefferson, MD.  The family will receive friends from 9:00 to 10:00 AM at the Church, on the morning of the service.  Pastor Virginia Price will officiate.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery in Burkittsville, MD.