Harry Samuel Foden, Sr.

Major Harry Foden was Promoted to Glory peacefully in his sleep on June 1, 2021 from the home of his son and daughter-in-love at the noble age of 93. Harry Samuel Foden was the firstborn to Henry (Harry) and Hazel Foden on March 16th, 1928 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Born at home, he was part of the “Greatest Generation,” having grown up during the Great Depression and the Second World War. He was blessed to have been raised in a Christian home, where he also became a believer at an early age. He moved with his parents and siblings, for a short time, to the Los Angeles area. While there he witnessed the maiden flight of the Lockheed Constellation; as well as the US Naval fleet in San Diego, that would soon be transferred to Pearl Harbor. Because of civilian gas rationing on the home front of WW2 and the government subsidized Civilian Pilot Training Program to assist the war effort, Harry actually received his pilot’s license before he received his driver’s license. Harry’s family was musical so, naturally, after moving back to East Liverpool, he joined the high school marching band, where he played the sousaphone. He also played in a forty-piece orchestra at the Church of the Nazarene. As a young adult, he also worked in a pottery and steel mill. Harry enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1948, and served during the outbreak of the Korean War, being honorably discharged in 1952. The Foden’s moved to Miami, Florida around this time, where Harry enrolled in Embry Riddle Aeronautical Institute utilizing the G.I. Bill educational benefit. He was hired at that time by National Airlines. Harry’s family was visited by an officer from The Salvation Army and invited to attend and play his sousaphone in the band. There he met and fell in love with a young single officer, Captain Mildred Kirby. Harry joined The Salvation Army, and he and Mildred married December 29th, 1955. Harry went to the School for Officers’ Training and was also ordained and commissioned as a Lieutenant in 1957 from the “Faithful” Session. Together, they served in ministry in Florida, North Carolina, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, touching and impacting countless lives, until they retired in March 1993. During his service in The Salvation Army, he also became involved in the Civil Air Patrol as a chaplain, which complimented both his ministerial and aviation vocations. Harry was then able to once again take up the flying he had put aside for several years. After retirement, they settled in Mildred’s hometown of Asheville, NC, where they both were active members of the Asheville Corps. Even after retirement he continued active service in the Civil Air Patrol; receiving National Chaplain of the Year award in 2006. Harry still held membership in the Hendersonville, NC American Legion Post. Besides flying, Harry’s hobbies included model railroading and airplanes. Harry’s beloved wife of over 50 years was Promoted to Glory June 20th, 2007. Harry moved in with his oldest son, Harry (Sam), Jr. and family in 2015. Harry was predeceased by his wife, Mildred Elizabeth Foden, sisters Lois Foden, Delores Noegel, and brothers John, Billy, and Charles. He is survived by his sister Ruth Foden, son Harry S. Foden, Jr. and daughter-in-law Alice Foden, daughter Lisa R. Kidder and son-in-law Edgar Kidder, son Thomas G. Foden and daughter-in-law Melanie Foden; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM Monday, June 7, 2021, in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Major Roger Coulson and Major Phil Swyers officiating. Burial will follow at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Air Force and the American Legion Hubert M Smith Post 77. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4 till 6 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: The Salvation Army, 3455 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 or to: The Salvation Army, 204 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801.