J. Roy Fogle, a long time New Bern resident, died Friday, January 4, 2013 at his home.
Roy attended high school in Salem, Illinois, where he was voted the honors hop football king by the student body his senior year. He was inducted into his school's "Sports Hall of Fame" on June 1, 2002 for his stellar high school and collegiate athletic accomplishments.
Roy attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on a football scholarship where he was a star football player and a state and national wrestling champion. In 1998 the University recognized Roy as a Distinguished Alumnus and the first scholarship athlete to be recognized in 1988.
Roy spent two winters with the United States Marine corps in Korea in 1952. Landing there in early January and leaving in December. He received the Korean Service Medal with two bronze battle stars along with six other medals.
He achieved many accomplishments in his life. Roy served as the first executive director of the Neuse River Council of Governments (COG) from 1968 to 1994, building it into an award winning organization. The NADO Board of Directors created the J. Roy Fogle Leadership Award in recognition of his untiring efforts and outstanding leadership. Roy's other major leadership honors included, but are not limited to; serving as President of Arkansas State University Alumni Association in 1960-1961, being one of the 9 delegates sent from North Carolina at the White House Conference on Balanced National Growth and Economic Development in 1978, being recognized in 1988 as the outstanding COG Executive Director in the U.S., recognized as the Outstanding Economic Developer in North Carolina for his industrial recruiting accomplishments in Jones County in 2000, and serving on the River Bend Town Council in 1995 and serving 3 two year terms.
Survivors include his wife Bonnie; his son Mike; his daughters Diane D. Ratchford, Linda Creech and Melissa Schroeder, all of New Bern, Lynn Morton of Oshkosh, WI, and Deidra Heaney of Bulverde, TX; 13 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Cotten Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the Fogle family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
January 14, 2013
Bonnie and family; The longer we live the more we learn yet all our experience doesn't really seem to help when it comes to the loss of someone we care about. The Disabled American Veterans Chapter 40 New Bern, NC want you to know your Husband and Father was a Veteran and we care about all Veterans. May he rest in peace. The Band of Brothers have lost a good man.
K. Hacker,
Adj DAV Chap 40
January 8, 2013
Allen, Sandy, Taylor & Aj Morton
We send our sincerest sympathy, Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family..
January 8, 2013
Bonnie,
I am so sorry to hear about Roy. Please know that Ken and I send good thoughts to you and your family. Roy was a very special man.
Elizabeth & Ken Brinson
January 8, 2013
Freda Kinsey
Bonnie and family I pray the comfort of the Lord Jesus Christ in your lives today and every day.
January 8, 2013
Dave Wallace
I first met Roy when he knocked on my door in the '90s and asked me to vote for him for Council Member in River Bend. I voted for him and he won, after which I got to know him well by helping him with his computer. I am a year older than Roy and was surprised to hear of his passing. We'll miss him. Nice guy.
January 8, 2013
Todd Tucker
I want to express my deepest sympathy for Roys family. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I can only think of how many times I would come and visit Roy in Jones County, he did so much with so little there. He was truly one of NCs most interesting and entertaining people. He always had an opinion and thought about something, I would drive from Raliegh just to talk to him about some of these things, mostly related to economic development. For me, he was fun to be around and learn from. I still have his First Draft of Job Success Facts of Life 101! He will be missed.
Todd Tucker, CEcD
President Surry County Economic Development Partnership.
January 8, 2013
Mary L. Sander
We send our deepest sympathy to your family.
Class of 1949, Salem, IL
January 7, 2013
Monica Minus
My sincerest condolences to Sean and his family on the passing of his grandfather. May you find comfort in the fond memories during the days ahead.
January 7, 2013
Jamie Fogle
Papa, I love you and will always miss you, You inspired me to be tough and have lots of pride for myself as a person. I will always remember coming to visit you and grandma as a young man. I will always cherish those moments forever. Best grandfather any grandson could ever ask for. I Salute you Papa....Rest in Peace....
January 7, 2013
missy schroeder
This is the most difficult time in our lives we are very close. Our father who became this fiqure of taking care of us has gone to be with the lord. We were always expecting you to leave us one day, but i don't think you are ever prepared for this great time of sadness and the tugging you feel in your heart and thinking what just happen here.My father taught his children and grandchildren to always be the best at all areas of life and didn't judge you if you didn't succeed, but encourage you to keep trying.My father will be missed very much and only time will heal his family, but not completely, because their will always be this empty hole in our hearts and now we lay you down to sleep and rest, but remember we will all be together again one day and your beautiful wife will be taken care of. miss you and love you more , your kids Mike, DeeDee, Linda, Missy
January 7, 2013
J. Roy was one of my great friends in high school and for the next 64 years. With his death, it only leaves three seniors alive from the Salem, IL 1947 football team.
Carle Blackwell (Tucson, AZ)
January 7, 2013
Bonnie, Roy will be missed by all of us whose lives he touched. I fondly recall my last visit to see Roy a few years ago when I was in New Bern for a workforce development board meeting. We talked for several hours. But the most precious part of the visit was when he presented me with one of his clown paintings. It shares a prominent place in my home; many people ask about it - it will always be cherished. Thanks for sharing Roy with us. He was a true friend and very unique with his thoughts; very progressive & one who did CHANAGE PEOPLE'S LIVES. He will be missed.
Woody Brinson, Kenansville, NC
January 7, 2013
Blanche Fogle
"Papa" you will be remembered by so many people!! I am honored to have known you. Your life has effected so many, and your legacy will go on thru your children & grandchildren.R.I.P.
Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Blanche Fogle
January 6, 2013
Derrick Fogle
J Roy was my uncle; the oldest in my dad's family. He was a great man, who accomplished incredible things in his life. He has always been, and always will be, an inspiration to me. He was loved and respected by virtually all who knew him. With much love and sadness, Rest in Peace uncle J Roy.
January 6, 2013
Diedra Heaney
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Diedra Heaney
January 6, 2013
Sarah Ramos
He always encouraged me to be the best at whatever I chose to do in my life. The first thing he would always ask me was " how is teaching" till the very last time I saw him. I will always remember him as the mighty man he was that could solve any problem, and give you the best advice he could. He did many great things in his life, but the greatest to me was the simple fact that he was my " papa". Rest in peace Papa I love you.
January 6, 2013
I have lost a friend and most of all, one of the few mentors I had in my life. I had the honor of working under Roy's tutelage for several years when beginning my civilian career in economic development after retiring from the Marine Corps in 1993. Roy and I shared service as Marines and he always told it straight to me like on Marine to another. Working for Mr. Fogle was an adventure every single day and you always felt challenged. Roy pushed his employees and he empowered us all to excel and do our best. Mr. Fogle was successful at anything he undertook. Roy didn't know how to fail and he didn't like those who didn't mind losing. Roy's professional love was the Neuse River Council of Governments (NRCOG) where I served with him. NRCOG won every award for national excellence available. We were the Council of Government to be emulated by the other 17 some odd other Council's throughout the State of North Carolina. Mr. Fogle was an iconic figure in the field of economic development in North Carolina and in fact, throughout the United States. Today, I mourn the loss of my dear friend and mentor, Junior Roy Fogle. Heaven just got a great man who no doubt will make his presence known to the Lord in short order!
January 6, 2013
erin ratchford
love you grandpa miss you
January 6, 2013
Judy Hills
I have known Roy since 1994 when he hired me at the NRCOG. As the Interim Executive Director of that agency which morphed into the Eastern Carolina Council, I recognize and appreciate all Roy tried to do for our nine-county region. He was a visionary. Our sincere condolences to the family on your loss.
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