Kenneth (Ken) Dean Foster of Durant, Okla. passed from his earthly life on Sept. 3, 2020 at the age of 73 after a brief battle with cancer. He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. He was born on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 1947 to Raymond and Roberta Foster in Bent County, Colo.
He was raised on a farm in the southeastern part of Colorado with his three siblings. Ken served his country with honor in the United States Navy from 1965 to 1967 in Vietnam. Ken met his bride Margaret in 1970 at Otero Junior College in LaJunta, Colo. and three short months later they were married at the First United Methodist Church in McClave, Colo. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in May of 2020.
He moved to Durant, Okla. with his bride and newborn daughter in January 1973 to work for her family’s business, JC Potter Sausage Co. They welcomed their second child, a son in 1976. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1985 and worked as a maintenance engineer and refrigeration specialist. Ken was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, spending weekends with his family on Lake Texoma, camping, hiking, target shooting, and riding his Goldwing motorcycle with his wife after their children were grown.
Ken was an active member of First Christian Church for many years and served as a Deacon, volunteer youth worker, and drove the church van on Sunday mornings. Ken was a dedicated father and husband. He spent much of his free time teaching his children how to hunt, fish, swim, water ski, and shoot a bow and arrow. In the evenings, he could be seen in the front yard playing catch and throwing pop flies and ground balls with his kids during baseball/softball season. He was an Assistant Boy Scout Master for many years for Troop 615. He loved his grandchildren and teaching them many of the same things he taught this daughter and son.
Ken was well known for the stories he told, and he never met a stranger. After his retirement, he used his skills and knowledge volunteering maintenance, electrical, and carpentry work for the local women’s and children’s shelter and other non-profit organizations. He touched the lives of all who met him and helped countless people over the span of his life.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Terry Foster; his close cousin, Mitch Cass; brother-in-law, Stan Burgess and a great nephew, Jace Burgess.
He is survived by his wife of the home, Margaret Foster; his daughter, Natalie Foster of Durant, Okla.; son, Alan Foster and wife Nichole of Edmond, Okla.; grandson, Seth Jones of Durant, Okla.; grandchildren, Kaylee, Ezekiel, and Lillian Lorine Foster of Edmond, Okla., Katie and Logan Shlosser; sister, Glenda Hall and husband Jim of Piedmont, S.D.; sister, Wendy Culler and husband Charlie of Bryan, Ohio; sister-in-law, Peggy Burgess of Bixby, Okla.; sister-in-law, Nancy Peterson of Tulsa, Okla.; brother-in-law, Tommy Oliver and wife Dominique of Owasso, Okla.; niece, Darcie Frank and her husband and children; niece, Jessica Culler; niece, Stacey Burgess and children; niece, Leslie Burgess, husband and children; Amanda Horowitz, husband and children; nephews, James Junkins of Ocean Springs, Miss.; Andrew Peterson, wife and child; nephew, Cameron Oliver and wife; niece, Dani Oliver; close family friend, Casey Bennett; his coffee buddies and many other close friends.
The family will receive friends at the First Christian Church in the Nan Berry Hall on Sunday, Sept. 6, 2020 at 2 p.m. for a time of gathering and visitation.
Memorials may be made to the DAV at https://secure.dav.org/site/Donation2?df_id=18297&18297.donation=form1&msclkid=8e86a9cc53cd111b026ff69ede318402
