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Harold Claude Folts III passed peacefully away at 3:40 am on May 26, 2021. Hal, as he was known for much of his adult life was born in Lakewood City Hospital (Lakewood, OH) October 29, 1935 to Harold Claude Folts II and Dorothy Emma Folts (nee Smith). As a boy he was known as Buster and Bus. He eventually moved to Bayport Long Island where he attended high school. He was known as Buzz by the time he graduated. Hal served two years in the US Navy before focusing on his undergraduate studies. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering at Tri-State University in Angola Illinois, working to pay his way through school. Following college Hal went to work for the US Government in the field of communications. In time, he became an expert in international data communications and was head of various international standards committees through the years.
Hal's early positions sent him to England where he took up motor sports; rally, Formula Ford, & mechanic. His chassis builders wife had a sister, Jennifer Mary Stitson, with whom he fell in love and married. Hals US Government job took them to Germany, France and back to England. During this time his three children were born; Karen, Michelle, and Bryan. In the Summer of 1970 the family moved to Vienna Virginia USA. Back in the States, Hal traded auto racing for boating and fishing. His passion for fishing led him to Chincoteague Island, Virginia, where he and Jen purchased three cottages and later started a vacation rental service. Jen ran the books and the whole family worked on the cottages in the winter. Hal was able to work on and fix anything and everything. The family enjoyed many summers vacationing on the island.
During the 1970s, Hal earned his Masters degree in Electrical Engineering from USC via satellite classes. He was traveling quite a bit, mostly internationally for his work and enjoyed learning about other cultures and cuisine. He returned from Japan and promptly made his family sushi at home years before sushi became a hit in the States. In the early 1980s, Hal left the government to start his own Data Communications business called Omnicom. The entire family was involved in Omnicom in one way or another. Hal had an incredible passion for learning. In his 50s, Hal earned his scuba certification and worked through all of the certification specialties up to Master Scuba Diver. He started a fishing and diving charter boat business on the weekends, while still working full-time. A little over a decade after starting Omnicom, Hal returned to the government, as a NASA engineer, to finish qualifying for full retirement. When Hal retired from NASA, he dove right into his next career as a realtor, which he enjoyed for many years until he fully retired.
Hal was an amazing father and grandfather. He instilled a strong work ethic and a deep curiosity for many things in his three children and 13 grandchildren. He was a mechanic, a plumber, an electrician, a carpenter, a gardener, a yogurt maker, a wine and beer maker, and so much more. While he gained much joy from his various hobbies and interests, nothing made him happier than large family gatherings over the years ; Hal absolutely LOVED family time.
Please join us in memorial of Harold (Buster, Bus, Buzz, Hal, Captain Hal, Hubbikins, Daddy, Dad, Pop) Claude Folts III on June 4th at 10:30 am for a service at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church in Fredericksburg VA. Followed by an Internment of Harold and Jennifer remains at Oak Hill Cemetery and a reception at Thompson and Mullins Funeral home at noon to celebrate our beloved Hal.
Hal was predeceased by his wife Jennifer Mary Folts (2019), brother Nelson William Durland (2016), mother Dorothy Emma Durland (2005), and father Harold C. Folts Jr. (1975).
Donations to Knights of Columbus (kofc.org) Rappahannock Assembly 1613 c/o Robert C. Wheatley, Comptroller 11802 Hoover Ln. Fredericksburg, VA 22407 or Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org - Donate) are appreciated in lieu of flowers. |