Foy Meyer Jr., 84, passed away at his home in Lexington, Kentucky on Monday, May 4, 2026. His family was by his side at the time of his passing.
Foy was born on March 23, 1942, in Greenville, Illinois, to the late Foy Sr. and Marcia (Reesey) Meyer. Foy grew up in Greenville, where his father was a local business owner, served as mayor from 1957 to 1961, and later became the namesake of the Foy Meyer Industrial Park.
Foy attended Greenville High School, where he met the love of his life, Judy Mitchell. They married in 1965 and built a life centered on faith, family, and shared adventure. Between 1966 and 1978, they welcomed four children — three daughters and one son. Their family eventually grew to include 18 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren (and counting).
Foy believed deeply in hard work, beginning at a young age with jobs that ranged from mowing neighborhood lawns as a youth, to manning an ice cream cart for Dairy Queen as a pre-teen, to stocking groceries for Piggly Wiggly as a high schooler, to working at a Pet Milk cannery over his collegiate summers.
In 1966, Foy earned a degree in Mathematics, with a minor in Physics, from Greenville College, as well as a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. After spending his first few years out of college with Monsanto in Troy, Illinois, Foy joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1970 — a decision that shaped the next three decades of his life. Over a 30-year career, he served in a variety of leadership and executive-level roles across the United States and Europe, including three separate stints in Atlanta as well as long-term assignments in San Francisco, Houston, Tampa, London (England), Brussels (Belgium), and Ballina (Ireland). Foy was widely respected for his leadership, work ethic, and the relationships that he built along the way.
Above all, Foy was a man of deep Christian faith, which guided his life in all respects, but especially in his role as a leader and provider for his family. He was devoted to those under his stead, investing in them
with intention, steady presence, encouragement, and generous support, to include paving paths of spiritual wellbeing and educational opportunity for his children and grandchildren.
No matter how demanding his schedule, Foy made time for what mattered most and he embraced life with energy, enthusiasm, and steadfast positivity. Whether organizing a midnight boat ride, stoking a backyard bonfire, racing his children and grandchildren down a ski slope, or enjoying simple moments like walks, games, and family gatherings, Foy brought a spirit of fun to those around him. He loved the outdoors, competitive contests, loud engines, fast boats, faster cars, and any opportunity to be with the people he loved.
Foy also gave generously of his time and resources to support his churches, Christian colleges, and those in need, doing so faithfully and quietly, always guided by his Biblical belief in serving without recognition.
After retiring from The Coca-Cola Company in 2000, Foy and Judy moved to Castle Rock, Colorado, where he fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning horses, a John Deere tractor, and some land on which to run them. For 16 years, Foy and Judy made many fond memories living “Out West,” the greatest of which was hosting “Canter-Crest Camp,” an annual summer experience for their grandchildren that was filled with structured activities, adventure, and time together. To this day, those summers were the time of their lives — grandparents and grandchildren alike. During the winter months, Foy and Judy spent extended periods at their condominium-lodge in Red River, New Mexico, where Foy skied on a daily basis into his seventies.
In 2016, Foy and Judy decided to relocate to Lexington, Kentucky to be closer to family, where they remained for the rest of his life.
Among many other principles and pearls of wisdom, Foy always espoused that all you can give is everything you’ve got. Foy gave that every day of his life, and for that, his family and so many others whose lives he touched will be forever indebted.
Foy is survived by Judy, his beloved wife of 61 years, his children Tiffany De Groot, Chrissy Udd (Kevin), Gina Wiggins (Mike), and Foy Meyer III (Heather), and his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 11, 2026, at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Greenville. Donnell–Wiegand Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Samaritan’s Purse. Online condolences to the family may be made online www.donnellwiegand.com.