Aramis Matthews Fouché

Funeral director & embalmer. Owner of Fouche Hudson Funeral Home, Oakland, California. He served the Oakland Community as owner of Fouche's Hudson Funeral Home since 1943. Mr. Fouche was Co-Founder and chairman of the Board of Trans Bay Federal Savings and Loan of San Francisco and First National Bank of Oakland. These financial institutions provided financial assistance to the Black community. As a Civil Rights Leader, his lobby at the nation's capital initiated the erasure of the "Whites Only" clause on land deeds in California. The resulting effect on the Black community from these endeavors was economic power and freedom to purchase land in previously restricted areas. Many business and churches attribute their existence to Mr. Fouche. Mr. Fouche actively supported his mortuary profession. He organized and became the first president of the California Morticians Association. He maintained membership on the national, state and local levels. He holds membership in numerous organizations including the NAACP, life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Good Hope Lodge #29, Victoria Consistory #25, Order of the Eastern star Menelik Temple, Queen Ester Lodge, Oakland chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau. He was founder of Men of Tomorrow, a business organization. He was 33rd degree Mason. Mr. Fouche was recognized and received many awards by various professional, civic, church and fraternal organizations. Among which was, the Certificate of Achievement from President Ronald Reagan for 20 years of service to the Nation, he was appointed to the commission of Oakland Library Advisory board, Administrative Assistant to the Boy Scouts of America, Alameda county; Outstanding Services to Education Award. He received an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Mortuary Administration, Bethol Institute. Mr. Fouche graduated from Pasadena High School in California and was the featured soloist for the commencement exercise held at the Rose Bowl. He was a graduate of The University of California, Santa Barbara and California College of Embalming. He managed and was lead singer with the Dixie Jubilee Quartet. They toured the west and appeared in several movies including, "Green Pastures" and "Cabin in the Sky". Mr. Fouche began his career in the Mortuary Business with Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles. When established in 1915 by Hudson and Butler, Hudson's was the second oldest Black funeral home in California. Now in 2001, Fouche's Hudson Funeral Home is the oldest. Mr. Fouche leaves to cherish his memory; his loving and devoted wife, Aloysia Rochon Fouche; Daughter, Lyla Wright (husband Ben); Mother-in-law, Gladys Rochon; Nephews, Alton Ballard (wife, Vernel); Clovis Fouche, Jr., David White and Craig White; Nieces, Yolonde Ballard and Julie Gordon White; Goddaughter, Delores Richards; Grandchildren, Teri Brown, Tony Brown and Trent Brown; Great Grandchildren, Ted Brown, Toni Parker, Patrick brown, Tanner Brown, Trevor Brown, Scott White, Georgia White and Blake White. Mr. Fouche is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Jules and Martha Fields Fouche; Sisters Veronica Fouche and Ora Ballard; Brother, Clovis Fouche.