Douglas Folts

HOMER, LA: Lavens Douglas Folts Doug, Papa, Grandpa, Pop, or Colonel Folts, was 81 years old when he passed away in order to get his wife as soon as he possibly could. Doug was born September 15, 1934 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Aubrey Fairfax Folts and Frances "Frank" Ingram Lawson (Lockwood) Folts raised their four children, Jennie Frances Crowley, Lavens Douglas Folts, Carole Lockwood Dowd and Liane Stuart Holt in Chattanooga, Tennessee, atop Lookout Mountain. Doug's childhood years growing up on Lookout Mountain were so formative that he attributed his first "real" survival training to how he camped on the mountainside and learned how to hunt squirrels and find food only the mountain offered. He learned to love all people despite their race or religion, how to whittle with his knife from his beloved friend and neighborhood fireman, write songs, tinker with electronics, play the harmonica and guitar, bootleg Coca-Cola, and how to build "the first" drum brakes for his bicycle, so he could ride down the mountain. He attended Baylor private school for boys, where he learned from the lunch lady how to eat everything on his plate and genuine pride when his dad supported him when he stood up for what he believed in, despite the consequences. Doug was adventurous in everything he did, including how he pursued the love of his life while out on a double date. There, he fell for the "other" girl and slipped his hand behind the side of the seat to hold Patricia Fox Holland's hand under the edge of her skirt. Patte was Doug's everything and while married for nearly 60 years, they raised five extraordinary children while changing the world and improving the lives of everyone who had the opportunity to know them. Doug began his career as an enlisted man in the United States Air Force and as a result gained much respect from those he led throughout his military career. Doug was a humble man and after attending Officer Training School, he completed both his Bachelor's degree and Master's in Business Administration and became a well-respected B-58 navigator, retiring after a 30-year career from his position as the Vice Wing Commander of Andrews Air Force Base. He shared stories of the the day he flew during the Cuban Missile Crisis, his flights in and out of fallen Saigon, as he played a pivotal role in the well-known "Operation Babylift", as well as the time when he and his crew slightly "mis-navigated" during a flying exercise, broke the sound barrier as well as all the windows of the newly built Houston Astrodome. Most especially, Doug loved to share stories of the heroic efforts of all his "troops" and without a doubt, was a true patriot. When Doug and Patte retired in Homer, Louisiana, next door to their dear friends, Pat and J.K. Brown in 1993, Doug longed to be a Wal-Mart greeter as a way to get to know everyone in his beloved new home town. Patte forbid this, of course, but Doug persevered by becoming a contractor, where he built two houses (including his own) and oversaw countless construction and woodworking projects throughout the remainder of his retirement. Doug wanted nothing more than to be a good father, grandfather, brother, and friend. In the end, if you were his friend, you were his family. He was a republican "to the marrow of his bones," but supported his president no matter. Doug's faith was the core of his existence, where he lived to serve his God and as an example to all who knew him. His sense of humor, his need to convey his love for you (Has anyone told you they love you today?), his authentic enduring friendships, his belief in the good of all people, and his co-existence as Santa, combined to create Doug's contagious legacy. Doug would sum up his life beliefs as: "All I ever wanted in life I have. I traveled too much and love where I am. I enjoy a good steak every now and then. I like woodworking. I cry at weddings. I am Santa. I have spent my entire life trying to learn how to lower the toilet seat. I never cared much for deer. I can do without cancer and terrorists. I love my life. My grand- and great grandchildren are cuter than spit." Doug loved playing "hand puppet" with his grandkids, and pulling out his cheeks and sticking out his two front false teeth, just to make them laugh and make Patte crazy. When asked what he wanted his legacy to be, Doug said, "If you've always done it that way, it's probably wrong," but as he sat and cried at Patte's graveside, he decided instead that his legacy was his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his deepest and most sincere desire for world peace. Each night, Doug and Patte prayed aloud for each of their children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, then said the Lord's Prayer and while holding their wooden cross in their hands, prayed for world peace. Doug remained a member of Wesley Chapel until his death and loved his church and the congregants as much as any man could. Doug loved every day of his life and work. In fact, the moment before he died, he said he needed to get dressed for work. Indeed, he has more work to do in Heaven, looking after all of us. Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Aubrey Fairfax Folts and Frances Lockwood Folts, his oldest sister, Jennie Crowley and his beloved nephew, Michael Timothy Dowd. Celebrating his life and mourning his death are his five children, Patrick Douglas Folts and his wife, Lori, Michael Fairfax Folts and his wife, Barb, Kelly Fox Lockwood Folts and his wife Tina, Angela Kristin Foster and her husband, David, and Suzanne Folts Watson and her husband, David. Doug's sisters, Carole Dowd and her husband John and Liane "Aunt Lylie" Holt and her husband Jim, will mourn and celebrate his life along with the rest of us. All who knew Doug, know how his grandchildren, Patrice Madigan Mankowski, Nicholas Madigan Folts, Megan Madigan Folts, Chad Michael Folts, Kyle Douglas Folts, Robert Cory Folts, Bailey Holland Hamer, Austin David Foster, Sydney Kristin Campbell and Aubrey Frances Schake Moore, were all his favorites. Doug's 11 great-grandchildren, Avery Holland Mankowski, Preston Brian Mankowski, Kaylee Madigan Folts, Zachary Gracen Folts, Lincoln Jack Folts, Lawson Michael Folts, Hudson Knox Folts, Milana James Folts, Kadence Grace Folts, Kampbell Fox Folts and Richard Barry Hamer III made him burst with pride. He was able to spend one of his last weekends on this Earth at home on Lake Claiborne just to meet his newest "great": Little Ricky. Doug was also very close to his sisters' children and their families: Tom Dowd, Sarah Bryant, Anne Nomer, Daniel Dowd, Michael Dowd, Garrett Holt and Anna Danau who lovingly referred to him as Uncle Papa, and of course, their spouses and all of their children. Visitation was at First United Methodist Church located at 501 West 3^rd Street, Homer, Louisiana, 71040 on Saturday, July 9, 2016 from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. The memorial service was also held there, which began at 1:00 p.m. Graveside services followed at Arlington Cemetery in Homer, LA. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to any one of the following Veterans related sites, or one of your choosing: DAV (Disabled American Veterans): DAV is a Charitable Service Trust that supports physical and psychological rehabilitation programs that provide direct service to ill, injured, or wounded veterans. Address: P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati Ohio, 45250-0301 Marine Semper Fi Fund (IMSFF): Provides immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to post 9/11 wounded, critically ill and injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families. They work to ensure no one is left behind. Address: 825 College Blvd, Ste. 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057 The Fisher House: Provides housing to families of military or veterans' families when the military person/vet is hospitalized for illness, diseases or injury. Address: George C. Beach Rd. Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234  

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel (318) 927-6110

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