Francis James Foley

Jim was a teacher by nature but also a teacher of nature. He graduated with a degree in biology from Pan American College. Later he earned a master’s degree from Pan American University in Edinburg, TX. His master’s thesis chronicled the life history of the Groove-billed Ani, a black parrot that spends its summers in South Texas.

As a science teacher, Jim brought biology, physics, and chemistry to life. He not only taught his biology students essential information from the textbook, but he also revealed the magic of nature in his students’ own surroundings. While teaching at Los Fresnos High School, for example, he sponsored field trips to nearby Laguna Atascosa Wildlife Refuge and South Padre Island. His science club even traveled to the interior of Mexico for camping and environmental studies.

Later, as the education coordinator at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Jim taught classes and gave presentations to groups throughout the Rio Grande Valley to promote the zoo and its efforts to preserve wild species. One project especially important to Jim was the effort to save the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle. For many weeks during the summer, Jim and other biologists photographed turtles, recorded and analyzed data, moved newly-laid eggs to protected nests, and then celebrated when the hatchlings made their mad dash to the sea.

From his work in education and wildlife preservation, Jim moved to the semi-conductor industry when he joined Potentials, Inc., in Austin. There his background in chemistry helped to bring innovation to our small family-owned business.

Anyone who has an image of Jim has a picture of a man with a camera around his neck. While a high school teacher, he sponsored the school’s yearbook and taught photography, including darkroom techniques. At the Gladys Porter Zoo, his photographs appeared in the zoo’s literature, adorned the zoo’s walls, and aided in instructional slideshows. As a parent, he documented every stage of his children’s lives. Photographs of his travels to Central and South America and to Ireland hang on the walls of his family’s homes.

From his father, Jim learned to build almost anything and to fix any broken machine. We all marveled at his ability to look at a problem and repair the machine or make a new part. He understood how things worked: mechanical devices, the life cycle of a tiny insect, or the workings of the solar system. He had a brilliant mind.

Looking at his life, one must also recognize his battles. At a young age, he faced heart surgery and was the first youngster to survive the particular procedure he had. Later in life, addiction to alcohol took a terrible toll, but through AA, the 12 Steps, and a supportive family, he gained sobriety and peace. He was just shy of having eight years sobriety, a tremendously heroic accomplishment.

He is preceded in death by his father, Martin J. Foley and his sister, Jennifer Reyna.

He is survived by his wife of many years, Elizabeth Foley of Austin and his children: Deborah Kjallbring and husband Henrik of Austin; Kristina Lem and her husband Steve of Houston; Anne Foley of Austin and Steven Foley of Austin and New York City. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Lukas and Gwen Kjallbring of Austin. In addition, his mother, Sophie Matthews of Bryan, mourns him, as do his siblings: Mary Cortines and husband Charles of Houston; Patricia Hlozek and husband Donald of Bryan; Catherine Whitton of Center, and Mark Foley of Center. Also, his extended family of cousins and aunts and uncles will miss him. All of his family and his friends have been blessed to witness his fine mind, his devilish sense of humor, his kind spirit, and his remarkable rebirth.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock until six o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 17th of February 2011, with a Rosary to be recited at seven o’clock in the evening in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, Texas.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at eleven o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 18th of February 2011, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 7601 Burnet Road, Austin, Texas.

Condolences may be sent to www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com .