Calvin Foster's Obituary
Calvin L. Foster, 84, passed away Friday, September 3, 2010. He was born in Sardis MS, where he graduated from Sardis High School in 1943 and was a member of Hebron Baptist Church. He was a BA graduate of Memphis State University in 1955 and embarked on a long career as a sales representative for Simmon’s Abrasives where he served as National Sales Manager and later as Vice President of Direct Sales and Marketing for Universal. He subsequently started Foster Inc., and continued an impressive career in the manufacturing industry until his retirement in 2000. Calvin leaves his beautiful, loving and devoted wife of 68 years, Doris Trammell Foster, one daughter, Rebecca Foster Gosnell (Bill) and two sons, Calvin Foster Jr. (Nancy) and David Foster (Pat) all of Memphis TN. He also leaves six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He leaves one sister Lorene Hudson and three brothers Cecil Foster, Hugh Foster and Sonny Foster. He was a former member, board member and Deacon at Beverly Hills Baptist Church and was a devoted Christian. He served in WWII with the Army 281 Combat Engineer Battalion at the battle of the Bulge, D Day and Korean War campaigns. After the war he continued his military career as an Army reservist until his retirement after 37 years of service. Starting as a young private he rose through the ranks, spending summer stints at the Pentagon in Washington, to earn the prestigious rank of Full Bird Colonel, culminating many years of diligence and dedication to his country. From humble country boy beginnings he garnered high praise and respect from his military and business associates, which he never took for granted. He was extremely proud of his family and we will forever miss our family patriarch hero, our teacher, our guidepost. We were honored to call him husband, father, and grandfather. Sleep well Dad. The funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, September 5, 2010, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m.until 3:30 p.m., also on Sunday at Memorial Park Funeral.
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