Merle L. Foley

Merle L. Foley, 78, a resident of Bloomfield, passed away Monday, Jan. 25, 2010, at the Heart Hospital in Albuquerque. Merle was born Sept. 23, 1931, in Durango, Colo., the son of Patrick Lester Foley and Etta Mae Arthur Foley. Merle served in the U.S. Navy and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He received an honorable discharge and was very proud of his service to our country. He was a true cowboy. He broke horses, punched cows, guided hunts, rodeoed, and rode broncos at Tilawakit. Merle worked the narrow gauge train from Durango to Silverton and was also a member of the Durango Sheriff's Posse. He tanned hides at Western Tannery in Delta, Colo., and also served as a maintenance engineer at the National Bank of Delta. His family moved to Gunnison, Colo., where he was a maintenance engineer at the Gunnison County Court House and was also on the Sheriff's Posse in Gunnison. Merle then moved to Kirtland, where he was the maintenance engineer for Central Consolidated Schools for 15 years before retirement. Merle is survived by his wife, Nancy Foley of Bloomfield; Merle E. Foley and wife, Sheila, of San Angelo, Texas, Christean Grauel and husband, Chris, of Madison, Ind., and Collean Foley of Albuquerque; grandchildren, Carlean, Leigha, Nicole and Mandi Foley and Clayton Grauel; sister-in-law, Elva Foley; nephew, Mickey Foley and wife, Barbara; nephew, Pat Foley and wife, Colleen; nieces, Connie Hollar, Barbara Jean Lard and husband, Dennis; many great-nieces and great-nephews and dear friends. Pallbearers are Merle E. Foley, Mickey R. Foley, Brad S. Foley, Sean Foley, Eric Lard and Steve Miller. Honorary pallbearers are Clayton Grauel, Chris Grauel, David Mackie and John Hale. In lieu of flowers the family suggest that memorial contributions be made in Merle's name to the Central Primary School, 310 W. Sycamore, Bloomfield, NM 87413. Merle's services are entrusted to Brewer, Lee & Larkin Funeral Home, 103 East Ute Street, Farmington, NM (505) 325-8688.