Baylor Mourns Loss Of Dedicated Baylor Servant-Leader

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Jack Folmar, a former Baylor University trustee and regent designated an Alumnus Honoris Causa for his dedication to the university, died Monday, July 9, in Dallas.

A memorial service for Folmar was held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 13, at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Beginning with his commitment to the university as a Baylor parent, Folmar gave much of his time and energy to promoting Baylor, serving a total of 18 years on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents.

"Jack Folmar was an exemplary servant-leader, consistently supporting Baylor, for which he had great affection," said Baylor University President John M. Lilley. "His years of service and support will forever be a part of Baylor."

Folmar, who became an Alumnus by Choice in 1986, served as a trustee from 1974-83, then as a regent from 1985-94. In recognition of his years of dedication, he received the W.R. White Meritorious Service Award and the Alumnus Honoris Causa designation, the highest honor bestowed by the university upon non-alumni.

A faithful supporter of Baylor athletics, Folmar contributed to the Grant Teaff Plaza, Floyd Casey Stadium renovations and Bear Foundation. He was a member of the Endowed Scholarship Society, having established scholarships supporting student-athletes, biology and George W. Truett Theological Seminary students. He also supported the construction of the McLane Student Life Center and made the naming gift for the Folmar Pavilion in Burleson Quadrangle. He was recognized as a member of the Medallion Fellowship, first with the James Huckins Medallion in 1988, then the Pat Neff Medallion in 1998.

Folmar was born Nov. 22, 1931 in Luling, Texas. He grew up in Beaumont and attended Lamar University. He entered the insurance industry immediately after graduation and soon united his passion for aviation with his experience in insurance by forming Gulf Aviation Underwriters. In 1962, Folmar incorporated Aviation Office of America (AOA), which would grow to insure airlines such as Southwest, Continental, Braniff and others. In 1989, he resigned his position as CEO of AOA to develop other opportunities such as International Aviation Underwriters (IAU) and subsequently, Aviation and Marine Insurance Group (AMIG). Folmar remained CEO of AMIG until a New York Exchange traded company acquired it in 1997. Since that time, he has been engaged in the management of Jack G. Folmar & Partners Ltd.

In addition to his service to Baylor, Folmar served on various bank boards in Beaumont and Dallas and on the board of Baylor Healthcare System in Dallas. He was a member of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, where he was recently elected by fellow deacons as a Life Deacon and was a member of the Floyds Faithful Sunday School class.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Faye McLellan Folmar.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Morriss Folmar of Dallas; father, Jack Franklin Folmar of Mineola, Texas; brother and sister-in-law Bill Ross and Nancy Folmar of Colleyville, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Bonnie (BSED '75) and Dod Moore of Orange, Texas; daughter Connie Stevenson (BSED '75) of De Soto, Texas; and son and daughter-in-law David (BBA '85) and Cindy Folmar (BSHE '83) of Dallas. He also is survived by twelve grandchildren, Dod Moore, Bonnie Ray, Mary Beth Whiddon, Jacob Moore and Mark Moore; Kevin, Katie and Kelly Stevenson; Gradie, Laurel, Stokes and Tatum Folmar; and three great-grandchildren, Justin Dod Moore, Bobby David Moore and Tyler Thomas Ray.