RESOLUTION 75:04: Memorial for Elder Russell S. Foulke

And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them. Revelation 14:13

Elder Russell S. Foulke entered the presence of His Lord Jesus Christ April 7th 2011 at the age of 73. He served as a ruling elder of the Columbia Bible Presbyterian Church in Scappoose, Oregon from April 1996 until his death. Elder Foulke was known for his extensive knowledge of the Bible. He stood amazed at the grace unto salvation that God granted to him, and revelled in the all-encompassing truth of God’s sovereignty. He would frequently and humbly express what he was saved from, and what he was saved for. Elder Foulke had an inquisitive mind. He was a constant student in the School of Jesus Christ and was possessed by an insatiable hunger for sound doctrine and sound preaching, as well as history, science, literature, and God’s beautiful creation.

Mr. Foulke will also be remembered for his love for children. And children loved him for his gentle and supportive affection and encouragement. Though he was slowed down by a crippling stroke at the age of 55, Elder Foulke continued serving the body of Christ and the local community along with his wife of 44 years, Margaret Foulke. He served in the United States Air Force, in local committees and community service groups, and he was employed by Freightliner Truck Company as a machinist for 30 years. For several years Mr. and Mrs. Foulke baked delicious and hearty home-made bread for customers and friends in the community.

Russell and Margaret left their home in Oregon and moved to Tennessee to host the Bent Pine Lodge as a place of rest and recuperation for our pastors and missionaries. The Foulkes were faithful supporters at the Knoxville Bible Presbyterian Church and Russell worked with the Session while attending that fellowship.

Elder Foulke loved to worship God. The Lord’s Day was the high point of Mr. Foulke’s week. He loved the sacraments and was often brought to tears by the beauty of the Church as it worshipped its Lord. Unless he was absent due to illness, he never missed a service, prayer meeting, or Presbytery gathering of God’s people. To his final earthly day, Elder Foulke’s passion was captured in Matthew 16:18: And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Like his spiritual brother Abraham in the account of Hebrews 11, Elder Russell Foulke sojourned in a strange land with fellow heirs of the same promise. For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints. Psalm 116:15