Dr. R. Rodney Foil died in his Starkville, MS home on February 4th, 2018 at the age of 83.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Faye Mizell and nephew Mike Mizell.

Dr. Foil is survived by his wife of 34 years, Rosalind, his children, Jerry and Allison, his grandchildren Cheryl, Valerie, Abigail, Phoebe, and Martha, his niece Linda, and his son- and daughter-in-law, Jim and Elvia.

Rodney was born on August 12th, 1934 in Bogalusa, LA to Rosa Green Foil and Odell Foil. He graduated from LSU with a BS in Forestry in 1956, an MS in Forestry in 1960, and a Doctorate in Forestry from Duke University in 1964. Rodney married Patti Sue Thomas in January 1959. Their family grew with the birth of Jerry Thomas Foil in November 1959, and Allison Foil in December 1961. Jerry and Allison cherish their many memories of their father’s honesty, curiosity, intelligence, warmth, integrity, humor, and his unconditional love. Rodney married Rosalind Whatley Johnson in 1984, who was his steadfast and loving partner until his final day.

Rodney’s career accomplishments in Forestry and Agriculture at LSU and Mississippi State earned him a reputation that has endured far beyond his retirement in 1999. At Mississippi State, he rose from Head of the Department of Forestry, to Dean of the School of Forest Resources, to Experiment Station Director, to Vice President of the School of Agriculture, Forestry, and Veterinary Medicine. After retiring from MSU, Rodney served with the US Department of Agriculture for two years, earning recognition in the department’s Hall of Fame. He is also memorialized at Mississippi State by the Rodney Foil Plant Science Research Center and with the Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award.

A funeral is scheduled for 3:00 PM on February 9 at First United Methodist Church, Starkville, MS with a visitation preceding at 1:00 PM. Pastor Giles Lindley will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Rodney’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to First United Methodist Church Organ Fund at 200 Lampkin Street, Starkville, MS, 39759, the Rosalind and Rodney Foil Teamwork Award at Box 9800, Mississippi State, MS 39762, or the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank Generations Care, LLC and his team of doctors for the wonderful care they provided.