Thomas Jacob Foran passed away at the Hays Medical Center on Wednesday,
February 24, 2021 at the age of 74. Tom was born on April 29, 1946 to
William and Mary (Vopat) Foran in Ellsworth County, Kansas.
Tom was a lifetime resident of Ellsworth County. He was a stand-out
athlete for Wilson High School; he was All-State for football and
basketball and also played baseball. He graduated in 1964 and was
recruited by Bethany College to play football. After two years at
Bethany he furthered his education and continued to play college
football at Fort Hays State. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in 1968. He
then returned to farming in Wilson.
Tom’s favorite past time was playing poker with his “poker buddies”.
He played poker seriously with his friends, and we aren’t talking
pennies and dimes type of poker. He was serious about his cards and did
not fiddle with playing against anyone who didn’t understand the game or
couldn’t play to his level, including his nieces. You could say farming
and poker were his life, but he made sure that there was time to take
the best care of his parents. A gentle giant that was a kind and genuine
man, Tom was loved by all and a friend to everyone. He never knew a
stranger and didn’t have a bad word to say about anyone. His intellect
was admired by all who knew him, and his friendship was cherished by
those who became close with him. His loss will leave a place in the
hearts and lives of family and friends no one else can fill; however, he
leaves a collection of memories and precious times we shared, true
keepsakes of our hearts that will remain forever.
Tom is survived by his siblings, Michael Dennis Foran of Wichita and
Mary Alice Foran-Bush of Elizabeth Town, KY; twelve nieces and nephews;
and a multitude of great-nieces and nephews.
He joins in heaven his parents, William and Mary Foran; brother,
Kevin (Dorothy) Foran; sister, Carolyn (Leonard) Galliart;
brother-in-law, Elmer “Sunny” Bush; two nephews, William Bush and
Timothy Galliart; and a niece, Patricia Galliart.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at The
Iron Lion/Old Rec Center from 2PM until 6PM. A book signing will be
held on Friday at the funeral home in Wilson from 4PM until 8PM.
Memorials are suggested to the Wilson Fire Dept. and may be sent in
care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, PO BOX 533, Wilson, KS 67490.