Joe Foss |
| Posted 2009-11-28 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona Sunday, January 5, 2003 Joe Foss 1915 - 2003; war hero, patriot, statesman, and sportsman, died of complications from a cerebral vascular accident in Scottsdale, Arizona on January 1, 2003. He was 87. A man of extraordinary accomplishments, Joe embodied the spirt, lived the dream, answered the call, and paid the price that helped make our country so great. From his humble beginnings growing up on the plains of South Dakota to his exceptional exploits as a Marine Aviator in the battle of Guadalcanal, Joe lived each day with a strong sense of duty and commitment to his convictions. For his courageous leadership and extraordinary valor in aerial combat he received the Bronze and Silver Stars, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and ultimately the Congressional Medal of Honor. Joe followed his war years with a decade of service to his state of South Dakota as a Re-presentative and a two-term governor. His involvement in sports through amateur boxing and college football as well as his charismatic leadership skills made him a natural candidate to be the first commissioner of the American Football League. Ever an outdoorsman, Joe became the first host of "The American Sportsman" and his own syndicated television show, "Joe Foss: Outdoorsman." Joe served two terms as president of the NRA and used his speaking platform to defend 2nd Amendment rights. Although his reputation as a warrior, politician, and sports advocate gave him his notoriety, it was Joe's love of people that endeared him to the masses. He was a man for all seasons, whose winsome stories and engaging smile turned strangers into his friends everywhere he went. Joe Foss was a man of faith. His deep Christian beliefs became his reason for living and gave him a calm assurance when he was finally called to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. His wife Didi, his sons Frank and Dean, and daughters Mary Joe and Coni survive him; six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held January 9, 2003 at Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona. Gifts in lieu of flowers to The Joe Foss Institute, 7745 East Redfield Road, Suite 400, Scottsdale, Az., 85260 or The NRA Foundation: Joe and Donna Foss Endowment for Youth Education, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA., 22030. Arrangements by Messinger Indian School Mortuary. |
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