Hal Eugene "Gene" Foland

Hal Eugene "Gene" Foland, 87, Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Nevada, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Monday, March 19, 2012, at his home in Kansas City of natural causes. Gene was born Jan. 8, 1925, In Nevada, to J. Elber Foland and Lois G. Rinehart Foland. Gene married the love of his life, Dolores "Dee" Jean Cherry on June 15, 1951, in Nevada, who preceded him in death Nov. 8, 2009.

Following graduation from high school, Gene was drafted into the U.S. Air Force, where he completed a three-year tour of duty overseas in Germany (World War II), serving as a radio technician. After leaving the Air Force, he enrolled at the University of Missouri through the GI Bill. After four years of study, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, and became a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force. Gene served two more years in the Korean War, and retired to pursue a career in the private sector. Gene worked several years as an engineer for General Motors Company and then Westinghouse, but in 1960 found his calling with the Federal Aviation Administration, as a Manager in the Flight Standards Division.

During his 34 years with the FAA, Gene worked in Kansas City, Mo., transferred to Wichita, Kan., (1972-1980), and then moved back to Kansas City, Mo., to complete his career, where he had resided ever since.

Gene was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, and loved to spend time with his family. Gene also loved to square dance and was a member of the Boutonnières Square Dance Club in Kansas City, Mo.

Gene is survived by five children, Cherry Lahar and her husband, Don, Wichita, Kan., Lisa Schorpp and her husband, David, Ft. Worth, Texas, John Foland and his wife, Valerie, Douglass, Kan., Tracie Weatherly and her husband, Larry, Lee's Summit, Mo., and Kyle Foland and his wife, Carol, Kansas City, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Taylor, MacKenzie, Tanner, Maleah, Jordan, Kasey, Josh, Paxton, Ty and Spencer; four great-grandchildren, Quentin, Braxton, Brooks and Brynlee; brothers, Wayne Foland of Kansas City and David Foland of Bella Vista, Ark.; numerous nieces and nephews; and his many friends. Gene was preceded in death by one brother, Jay Foland.

Funeral services will be at noon, Saturday, March 24, at the Raintree Community Church, Lee's Summit, Mo., with the Rev. Andrew Collins officiating. Interment will follow at 4:30 p.m. in Newton Burial Park, Nevada.

Friends may call now and until 8 p.m., Friday, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute to the Kansas City Hospice in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com