Clayton Edward Foster Sr.'s Obituary
CLAYTON EDWARD FOSTER SR.
Clayton Edward Foster Sr., 82, passed away peacefully to be with “The Good Lord” on August 17, 2016 after a long battle with cancer. He was the fourth son born to Ronald and Mary Catherine in Rome, New York on February 23, 1934. Clayton, better known as Ed, Grandpa or Buddy, grew up in Forestport, New York in the country with his mother, step father William Brucker, brother Calvert (Sonny) and sister Eunice. As a boy he worked hard, spending his days splitting wood, tending to food and animals on the family’s property in upstate New York. He was responsible for helping his mother prepare the home for meals and was one of five in his class at school where he played varsity basketball. In his spare time, which was limited, he enjoyed listening to country and western music, Roy Rogers and Lone Ranger on the radio powered by the battery of the family’s Model A Ford, riding his bike and taking care of many pets including a beloved deer fawn. Upon graduation of high school Ed served his patriotic duty joining the United States Army. He retired as a Medic, serving in Vietnam and acquired several medals, commendations and campaign ribbons.
Ed met his first wife Bruna in Italy and grew their family with children; Clayton Jr., Beatrice, William, Ricardo, Penelope and Anne Marie. After his discharge from the Army in 1965 he settled in Tacoma, Washington where met and married the love of his life Leora and became the bonus father to Wilbur, Vicky, Mary, Robert and Barbara.
Ed loved being a father but often joked that if he had known grandchildren were so much fun he would have had them first. He loved spoiling his grandchildren with what was known as “the goody drawer” or anything that was even hinted as a want from them. He enjoyed playing Bingo, Lotto, pinochle, cribbage, watching western movies, listening to classic country music and spending time with loved ones.
Although Ed was an introverted man, he lived his life in a way that spoke boldly. He believed that you always put others before yourself, you love unconditionally and “If you got it, you give it.” His selfless legacy will forever shine in the lives of those he gave his love so freely to.
Ed is survived by his brother, Calvert (Carol) Foster; sons, Clayton Jr., Ricardo and William; daughters, Vicky (Dave) Gall, Mary Morgan, Barbara (Mark) Hoppmann and Penelope Pratt; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Alice) Combs, Kenneth Buffington, Yauna (Garrett) Gunsauls, Sherri (Jason) Little, Joshua (Christy) Swiggart, Schuyler Hoppmann, Pennie Foster, Clayton Foster III, Aubrie Foster, LaNina Stassinis, Lisa Landry, Nikki Tillman, Tiffany Wynn, Candis Wynn and George Wynn; great grandchildren, Jessica, Sierra, Seletha, Ethan, Kaiya, LeAnn, Zoe, David and many more.
Ed is preceded in death by his wife, Leora; parents, Ronald Foster, Mary Catherine Brucker and step father William Brucker; sister, Eunice Markusz; children, Anne Marie Yates, Beatrice Wynn, Wilbur Cox and Robert Cox.
A celebration of Clayton Edward Foster Sr.’s life will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home in the Garden Chapel on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 2:00pm.
In lieu of flowers donations to the American Cancer Society are appreciated.
Remembrances may be shared at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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