Shie Foudree
January 23, 2010
Shie W. Foudree passed away Saturday evening, January 23, 2010. He died of a staff infection following a short hospital stay. Born in Dudley, Iowa, February 1, 1921, he attended Roosevelt High School, Des Moines.
During the War, he served as a surgical technician/medic in the 70th Service Squadron of the Army Air Corps, eventually becoming a corporal and sergeant. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon.
Shie worked for Coca Cola for twenty-one years, first as a route salesman and then as Special Events Manager. In 1958, he formed Shie Concession Co. and operated numerous food concessions including the Iowa State Fairgrounds Grandstand for 50 years, Drake University, Iowa State University, Teachout and Northwest Swimming Pools, KRNT Theatre, and Greenwood Roadway.
He was a member of the Shrine and participated in numerous See-Sell Iowa trips conducted by the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed fishing and hunting for pheasants, deer, and elk, and made frequent trips to Canada and Wyoming.
He is survived by his two sons, Bruce and Kirk, and five grandchildren, Andrew, Aaron, Nicole, Grant, and Zarina. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy.
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m., Thursday, January 28, 2010 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 NW 60th Ave., Des Moines, Iowa. Friends may visit with family from 5 – 7 p.m., Wednesday, at the funeral home.
On-line condolences may be made at HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
Lyle Kreps
02/08/2010
Bruce and Kirk,
I really appreciate your kindness in calling Sharon to tell her that Shie had passed away...and it really hit me hard when I called her from Medellin, Colombia and found out. I was sooooo bummed that I could not be here to be with you at the services.
As you all know, Shie really helped to make me what I am today!!! We developed what I think was one of the most trusted friendships either of us ever had on those 6 or 7 SELL-SEE IOWA TOURS in 1967 through(I believe)1973. We spent 24 hours a day together on those trips and our strong friendship was developed and we remained very good friends ever since then.
As you know, it was Shie who gave me the opportunity with Stockman's Inn when he asked me on the trip in 1972 to take over his interest in it, with Marv Walter and Bud Nichols. I have not spent one day at the Iowa State Fair since then when I have not thought of Shie and his kindness in getting us started there. He and Dorothy were truly a BLESSING to me, Sharon and our kids, Brian, Jason and Jennifer.
He always stopped by to see us when we were setting up Stockman's getting ready for the Fair each year. He was always ready to offer us a helpful suggestion or two, and then add an old, old joke or story just to make sure that no one was taking life too seriously. It always seemed like it was his job to make sure everyone was happy and to share a good laugh or two.
I am quite certain that God "broke the mold" after He created Shie...there will never be another like him!! And, I am quite certain we will meet again
in Heaven...I will probably be ready to hear one of his old jokes again!!
Sharon and I will keep you and all your family in our prayers.
May God continue to Bless you.
Lyle and Sharon Kreps
Buffy Veber
01/29/2010
Dear Kirk, I don't know if you got my other message, but here I go again. I loved your dad. He was such a gentleman. I called him off and on, and last week I had a huge urge to call him, and didn't. I am so sorry that I didn't pick up my phone at that moment. I talked to Nicole and Andrew at the funeral home. I didn't know who you were. When I was downstairs, I finally figured out who you were, and I think you knew who I was, but you made no move to acknowledge me, so I went upstairs in embarrassment. Luckily you have a very gracious and beautiful daughter that knew the right thing to do. She came up and thanked me for coming. I would like to hear from you and find out what you have been doing all these years. At your mother's fumeral, all your old girlfriends were there. Maybe if I had come to visitation, I would have been able to talk to you.My phone no. is 515-771-2054. Please fill me in on your last 15 years or so.
I am so sorry about losing your father. He was loved by so many people and will be missed for a long time by many.
Richard & Sue Hurst
01/29/2010
Our sincere sympathy. Shie was a wonderful man and we are pleased that we had the opportunity to know him through the years. He was such a pleasure to visit with and was a very considerate and gracious person. He will be missed by many. The world should have more people like Shie Foudree.
Sincerely, Richard and Sue Hurst, Boone, Iowa
Buffy Veber
01/28/2010
Dear Kirk, I met your beautiful daughter, again, today. I wish I could have at least said hello to you, but didn't figure out who you were until right before I went back upstairs and your gracious daughter came up to say thank you and goodbye. I want you to know that I loved your Dad. He was such a gentleman and he told me stories about way back when. I didn't know that he was such a hero, however. He did so much more with his life than I ever knew. He was a very rightous person and you should be so very proud of him, as I'm sure you are. I would like to hear from you, just as a friendly conversation, as to what you are doing and how you are getting along.
My phone no. is 515-771-2054 if you would like to call, and I wish you would. we went through your mother's funeral, together, and I remember it all. I have nothing but fond thoughts of you and your family. I got to talk to Andrew, today, also and told him that I saw a smaller guy downstairs that looked exactly like him, except he had long dark hair. He was 'Baby Grant' And, they have a little sister! Lsast time I saw Baby Grant was when we took him to dinner and you fed him spaghetti in his beautiful new white traveling suit that his mother had bought for him. You thought it would be funny and your dad and I were not amused, nor were his mother and father when they met us for the flight back.
However, it would have been lovely to at least say hello to you. Maybe I should have come by last night. I was really sorry to have missed Aaron. I told Nicole to tell him 'hi' for me. You had really good kids and thanks to Marsha) and now they're great kids! Love, Buffy
Carol Hanson
01/28/2010
Dear Bruce, Kirk and Families: We are so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing, he was my fine neighbor for 48 years and always had a great wave and friendly smile whenever we saw him. He will be sorely missed by us as we really enjoyed our chats together. We are spending the winter in southern Texas and therefore cannot attend services but wanted to send our sympathy for your loss. He was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. Fondly, Carol and Ed.
Michele
01/27/2010
Bruce, Andrew, Kirk and family,
I cannot tell you how sad I am of Shie's passing. I am truely sorry for your loss. Shie was such a great person. He was loving, kind, generous of heart, fun and a true friend. I have known Shie for 30 years, I first met him at the bank I worked for, a couple years later I started working for him and your mom at the state fair. I have many many wonderful and fun memories of both Shie and Dorothy and I loved them dearly. I too have many good memories of you three and your families.
My tears, prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Michele
William Kean Retired ISP # 188
01/27/2010
Kirk, Bruce and Family I am truly sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers. Shie was a great friend to all of the Troopers that work the State Fair from back in the 70's forward. He provided great memories and friendship which have been shared for years. Shie was a very loving man with a heart of gold and I will always consider him a friend.
William D. Kean Jr. Retired Trooper #188
579 E. 300 N. Road
Gibson City, IL 60936
217-784-5724
cell 217-249-1880
work 217-784-4825
kean188@hughes.net
June Jones
01/27/2010
To The Foudree Family,
I'm so sorry for your great loss. I met Shie in Chicago At a Medical Clinic. We talked monthly by phone for years. After talking to Shie on those days; my thoughts were what a wonderful, positive and loving person, and the remaining, entire day was great for me! So much joy and energy. That's one lasting impression that will always remain in my heart, always of Shie Foudree I'm so glad he crossed my path in life. Bless You All June Jones CT
Iowa State Trooper Craig Bixler
01/27/2010
To the Family of Shie,
I just wanted to let you know, you are in our thoughts and prayers during your time of loss. Shie was a very good man who new no strangers, as this was evident in the way he always had a smile on his face and offered a hearty hello whenever we would see him at the state fair. Even though last summer was a little different without Shie being "the man in charge", it was still nice to see him at the fair enjoying the retired life.
Shie will forever be missed by his friends at the Iowa State Patrol.
Sincerely,
Trooper Craig Bixler #57
Iowa State Patrol
District 11 Cedar Rapids, IA
Jodi Quick-Woods
01/27/2010
I've lived in Saylorville all my life and known Shie since I was a little girl. He would frequently come in to to my Grandpa's station/parts store to chit-chat and laugh with us. He was always so kind to me and my family.
He was so active, always on the go, we will miss his smile.
Rick & Sherry Randles
01/27/2010
Bruce & Kirk:
We are very sorry to hear about Shie's passing. We have very fond memories of him.
Rich Van Patten
01/27/2010
The Foudree Family,
So sorry to hear of Shie's passing. Shie and Dorothy and my
Grandparents, Frank and Mattie, enjoyed each others company on
many occasions. As a young boy, I remember Shie always with
a smile and an ornery intention. Shie and Dorothy always seemed
to be having fun. Mattie is still with us at 101 years. After
telling her of Shie's passing a good 45 minutes of memories and
stories came flowing out along with a few giggles. I didn't need
to read the obit to her, she knew most of it anyway.
Hope you find peace and comfort in the coming days.
The Van Patten Family
Gary Kirke
01/27/2010
Dear Bruce, Kirk, and family,
So very sorry to learn of the loss of Shie. He was a great guy and I enjoyed sharing our times at the Iowa State Fair with him.
I remember the days when he and Zabel where always there and we always had such a good time.
Please be assured that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as we celebrate the loss of a great American.
Gary Kirke
Dianna Mascaro Gleason
01/27/2010
My deepest sympathy. May the love and your wonderful memories of your dad help you through this sad time. God's blessings be with you.
Doug Stream x isp 351
01/26/2010
Kirk and family I am very sorry for your loss and will keep yopu in my prayers.
All the years I worked the Iowa State Fair and with Shie are great memories. Working around your father was a priveledge and you should be very proud of him . Shie was a very caring and generous person and I considered him a friend.
Sincerly,
Douglas R, Stream X ISP 351