Emery Lee Folkers, 80, of Hays, Kansas, went to be with the Lord on August 31, 2016. Emery was born on the family farm south of Wakeeney, Kansas, November 20, 1935, to Frieda Finkbeiner Folkers and Herman Folkers of Wakeeney, Kansas. Emery grew up on this same farm and attended a one room school from first through eighth grade. He graduated from Trego Community High School where he lettered in football and track, was a member of the Glee Club, band, and drama club. He then went on to graduate from Salt City Business College in Hutchinson, Kansas with a degree in Accounting.
He enlisted in the Army as an E1 Private on September 14, 1954. His service duty was supposed to take him to Korea; however, because the conflict was ending, servicemen were sent elsewhere. His unit was assigned to Greenland to protect the United States from Russian planes flying westward. He was honorably discharged from the Army as an E4 Corporal in June 1956.
Emery owned and operated a construction business in Hays providing many young men in his employ a vocation. He coached little league football and orchestrated championships. Later in life, he drove an 18-wheeler helping people along the road with stalled cars, coming to the rescue of those involved in accidents, and cheering people up in roadside cafes. He picked up or delivered loads in all the lower 48 states.
Emery never met a stranger; he had a hearty laugh, an infectious smile, and invariably made the people around him feel welcome. He was an avid card player and would shuffle and deal a deck of cards to anybody who would sit down and play. Whether it was bridge, gin, pinochle, Go Fish, War, Uno, or Old Maid, he loved the fun and the competition a deck of cards brought to a family gathering. He always played the role of “banker” during board games such as Life or Monopoly and was usually the first to buy a house or hotel.
Emery loved to tell jokes. He would often remind people that he had a Rolodex in his head sorted by joke topic. People everywhere, if they met Emery, can probably remember a joke or two he shared with them. He loved to sing with his family and friends. He would always sing a good ole hymn like “How Great Thou Art” or “The Old Rugged Cross” if you asked him.
Whether it’s Emery, Dad, or Grampy . . . he will be dearly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Emery is survived by his loving companion of thirty-six years, Carol Shepherd, of Hays, Kansas; a sister, Dorothy Fuller, of Beloit, Kansas; a sister, Valetta Kesler, and husband Roland, of Quinter, Kansas; a sister Corleen Morris, of Arvada, Colorado; a sister Ruby Pranger, of Golden, Colorado; a daughter, Leasha Holderbaum, and husband Mark, of Rogers, Arkansas; a son, Craig Folkers, and wife Stephanie, of Leawood, Kansas; a son Todd Shepherd and wife Tina, of Hutchinson, Kansas; a son Michael Shepherd and wife Janet, of Miami, Florida; six grandchildren: Nicholas and Claire Folkers, Abby and Adam Holderbaum, and Tylor and Treyton Shepherd; and numerous in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Emery was preceded in death by: his parents, one sister, Marjorie Marcy, one brother, Eldon Folkers, and one grandson, Matthew Folkers.
A memorial service to remember Emery will be held 10:30 AM Friday, September 9, 2016 at Brock’s-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601 lunch will follow at the VFW, Hays, and internment at 2:30 PM on Friday at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, Wakeeney, Kansas. Military Honors courtesy of the Hays VFW Honor Guard
If you are so inclined, the family requests that donations be made to Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery, P.O. Box 185, Wakeeney, Kansas, 67672.
.Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or emailed to [email protected].
