Earl Augusta Folse
Earl Augusta Folse of North Las Vegas, Nevado, died in his home on Thursday, December 17, 2015 in North Las Vegas, Nevada due to complications following a stroke in October of this year. He was 83 years old. Mr. Folse was born on March 5th, 1932 to parents Edward and Alma Folse in Union, Louisiana. Earl served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1953 in the 14th Infantry. He was a decorated veteran, awarded multiple service medals, and a Purple Heart. His bravery, relentless positive attitude, and dedication to his infantry returned him to the line of fire following severe leg injuries. When given the option to return to the United States after he recovered, he chose to remain with his Infantry stating, “the men on the field want me to come back because I bring laughter to them and help them to carry on.” Surely this is what it means to fight for freedom at all costs, willing to sacrifice one’s life so that others may live the American dream. Throughout his life, Earl had an unwavering ability to bring the best out of everyone he came into contact with and never missed an opportunity to lend a hand, share a story, laugh, and make those around him remember the simple pleasures in life. At his very core, he was a man of strong faith who believed in the power of prayer in good times and bad. He chose to look for the good in everyone, forgive, love unconditionally, and live life in a manner that made sense to him… one day at a time. His career was spent within the chemical manufacturing industry, 15 years of which he worked at Freeport McMoran in Convent, LA. He was a devout Catholic, attended church regularly, and spent decades assisting with the preservation of the historical churches in the local area. He saw the fruits of his labor in his ability to create a warm home, provide for his family, and be an active member of society. He marched to the beat of his own drum and spoke no ill will of anyone, ever. There is much to be said of such a beautiful being. Earl was diagnosed with pancreas and liver cancer in 1999 and was given three to six months to live. The beauty of his spirit surfaced as he never accepted this diagnosis and completed the prescribed therapy willingly, never complaining of the side effects over a two year period of treatment. During his treatments at Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona he joked with patients and staff while turning the entire experience into a jovial event each week. He believed in the power of prayer and embraced the pending miracle with conviction and faith. According to Mayo Clinic, he was the only person known to survive such a cancer for so many years following treatment. He is a documented miracle. Earl is survived by his sisters Lois Ricard and Ruby Age and his children: Eldred, Cheryl, Melanie, Kelly and Rene; and his grandchildren: Anna, Michael, Avery, Lauren, and Christian; and his daughter-in-law Margaret (Margie) Folse who devoted herself to his daily care the last decade of his life with a smile and loving heart. He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Jacqueline LeBlanc Folse, his parents, and his brother Edward Folse Jr. Funeral service was December 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Christopher Catholic Church, North Las Vegas, Nevada. Interment at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Boulder, Nevada.
