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1944
2025
Ralph Herman Foll, Jr., 81, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, passed away on November 19, 2025. Born June 17, 1944, in Mountain View, Arkansas, to Neva Petty Foll and Ralph Herman Foll, Sr.
He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother John. Ralph is survived by his cherished wife of 59 years, Frances Davenport Foll; his daughter, Shelly Foll Thorburn (Jerry); his sisters, Faye Jeffery and Joy Foll; and his brother, Frank Foll.
Ralph lived a full and generous life marked by hard work, quiet skill, and an unwavering love for his family. Ralph retired from Delta Air Lines following 30 years of dedicated service while pouring his heart into the work he truly loved: home building and architectural design, a passion he pursued until his final days. He and Frances built a successful custom-home business in Arkansas that spanned three decades, then continued their craft in Tennessee for another 25 years after moving closer to their daughter and son-in-law. Ralph designed and built three beautiful homes for his daughter and her husband, each one a labor of love with every detail perfected. Ralph never met a challenge or hobby he couldn’t master.
If something was broken, Ralph could fix it, cars, radios, houses, anything. He once restored a century-old automobile to running condition, a quiet testament to his patience and ingenuity. An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting especially with his nephews in Arkansas and fishing, casting lines from his bass boat. His daughter’s passion for horses began when she was in grade school, and he embraced it as if it were his own, cherishing every trail ride they shared.
He was a licensed Extra Class amateur radio operator (call sign K5MOG). He was an accomplished builder of remote-control aircraft. He took such joy in making his famous fudge, strawberry shortcake, and biscuits, and he loved sharing them with friends. Yet what people will remember most is his generous spirit: he would literally give the shirt off his back to anyone in need.
Ralph will be deeply missed by his family, his friends, and everyone whose life he touched with his kindness, skill, and quiet strength. His legacy endures in the homes he built and designed, the classic cars he brought back to life, the fishing memories on the lake, and, above all, in the hearts of those fortunate enough to call him husband, dad, brother, and friend.
Rest easy, Ralph (Dad). You made the world better simply by being in it.
Your family loves you and misses you more than words can say.
In keeping with Ralph’s wishes, no memorial service will be held, and an online guestbook is available for the Foll family at www.woodfinchapel.com.
13 Entries
Carla and John Crader
November 27, 2025
What a beautiful tribute to you husband and father, Fran and Shelly. Our sincerest sympathy is with you and all your family.
Glenn Price
November 27, 2025
I’m sorry for your loss Fran & Shelly but I was thankful as I read about his life & the legacy he’s leaving behind. It encouraged me to finish strong like Ralph as I finish my own journey. Many blessings to your family!❤
David Wilkins
November 26, 2025
Although I never met Mr. Ralph, I got the pleasure of getting to know him through ham radio and consider him a friend. I always enjoyed talking with him and the group that he was a part of for the past 8 years or so. His personality demonstrated his genuineness as a person, and an appreciation and respect for others. We missed him when he wasn't on the air.
My wife and I liked to travel to Mtn. View, AR to spend a day or two once in a while just to get away. He mentioned he used to live there and we discussed the area more than once. When you live in the flat farmlands of Southeast MO, Mtn. View is a beautiful place. I am a pilot, and we discussed his memories of flying out of North Little Rock. There are many other good discussions we shared on the radio. He will be missed by many.
Juliet Amonett
November 26, 2025
Ralph and Fran have been my neighbors since 2006. Ralph introduced me to feeding the deer in our neighborhood. I continue to feed them to this day and enjoy it very much. The last time I saw Ralph was as he walked to check on his beehives in his yard. Fran and Ralph always made sure to give me and all the neighbors a jar of the best honey ever with each harvest. Ralph was gifted in so many areas. He restored old cars back to mint condition. He and I would talk about my 68 Camaro in my garage that my Father bought me as a teenager. I don’t think there was anything that Ralph couldn’t do. I watched him load his 4-wheeler a couple of weeks ago on to the back of his truck after he drove it around awhile in the neighborhood. I saw him get under his zero turn lawn mower last year and change the oil himself. I watched him cut down 20 foot trees in his yard and haul them away in his 4-wheeler.
Ralph is a very talented and gifted man. I miss him so. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven.
Rodney Payne
November 25, 2025
So sorry for your loss. I always heard great things about Ralph from Kenny and Sherra. Reading about his life and passions I'm sure we'd have been fast friends.
Carleen Kochanski
November 24, 2025
Fran and Shelly, It is with the deepest sadness that Lori shared Ralph's Obituary with me, and I want you to know that my heart goes out to you both. While it has been many years since we have had a chance to visit with you, your family remains in our 'Treasure Chest' of cherished memories. The years we spent as neighbors in Overbrook, and the friendship that Lori and Shelly developed as little girls transcend the passage of time. I was so happy to reconnect through Social Media, and feel like I've been able to share some of your happy times with you. Please know you have my deepest sympathy. Losing friends and family seems to be an all too frequent part of our lives anymore. Ralph was only a month older than me, and Jack's brother is in hospice care at this moment. We must cherish our memories. You and Shelly are very blessed to have each other. Please keep in touch as we will always consider you as having shared a very happy time in our lives, and that is so important to me that you both are OK. Love and God Bless You
Mike Rieben
November 24, 2025
He was a great friend to my dad and all his amateur radio buddies. I'm glad I knew him. Prayers snd sympathy to his family
Connie Davenport
November 24, 2025
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Coralee Engles
November 24, 2025
I have sweet memories of Ralph when he was dating Fran. Many laughs and good times we three had. He once helped move me from Newport to my grandmother’s house in Jacksonport. He was a special guy!!
Steve Brockinton
November 24, 2025
I became friends with Ralph and Fran when they built my house and they did a fabulous job I must say, building it in less than 3 months! My daughter and son were in Shelly's wedding. We were also neighbors after I got married and Ralph gave my son one of his airplanes which of course he loved. One thing I always admired about Ralph was how much he loved his family. He will be missed greatly. May his family see comfort in all of their wonderful memories as I am.
Ann Matthews
November 24, 2025
So Sorry to hear of Ralph’s passing The Obit is him for sure Good friends Ralph and Fran built best house we ever lived Prayers for your family Had good times Love you’ll
Harry Rieben
November 24, 2025
Ralph and I Ben radio friends ever sense I moved here , he was friendly and had a n
Big heart all the guys on radio liked him , he could take a joke with anybody , we will miss him very much , my sympathy to family H. Rieben
Lisa Dugger
November 24, 2025
Truly a wonderful man. You were right when you said the world is a better place because of Ralph!
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