Omer R. Foley, Jr.

Omer R. Foley, Jr., a resident of Valparaiso since 1956, passed away March 1, 2026.  

He was born on a homestead in Lamar, CO on September 19, 1924.  He was the youngest of six children, most of whom were born in the family’s sod house. 

He moved with his parents and youngest brother, Gale, to Arcadia, FL in 1936. It was an era when Florida was open-range. He remembered gator calls echoing across the prairie at night. 

In 1944, Omer left high school to serve as a Marine in WWII. 8 years later, he returned to the Marines for the Korean War. It was during this time in his life that he started to see the world, eventually traveling to places like the Philippines, Hawaii, Thailand and England, along with much of the United States (including when he hitchhiked from coast to coast). 

He graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1956. 

Within a year of arriving in Valparaiso, he married L. Georgene Foley (Sirmon). They loved water skiing on Boggy Bayou with Georgene’s sister and their friends. Omer always drove the boat. 

Omer and Georgene raised two children: Conrad and Christina (Manero). Living in Valparaiso for 70 years, he saw many changes, from OWJC moving from Valparaiso to Niceville, to the building of the mid-bay bridge, to traffic jams in Crestview. 

For 40 years, Omer practiced as a civil servant and private contractor at Eglin AFB. He spent just as many years as a ticket holder for Niceville High School’s football team. He grew to be a respected community member, serving in various civic roles in Valparaiso and as an active member of the United Methodist Church of Niceville and Crosspoint Church. He was also an avid clock and tool collector, and member of the local branch of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. 

His wife, Georgene, passed away in 2012. Omer is survived by his children, four grandchildren - Madeleine Foley, Greg Foley, Joseph Manero, and Sebastian Manero - and generations of extended family. His 101 years’ worth of stories, knowledge and wisdom will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in memory of Omer to Georgia Tech’s Emerald Coast Network Scholarship. https://giving.gatech.edu/campaigns/55365/donations/new?designation_id=552587&               

Or check made out to “Georgia Tech Foundation” with “Emerald Coast Network Scholarship Omer Foley” in the memo line.                                                                                                    

Mailed to:                                                                                                                            

Georgia Tech Alumni Association                                                                                              

190 North Avenue NW                                                                                                        

Atlanta, GA 30313

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