Virgil Francis Foster, age 94, passed away on December 7, 2015 at home, with his daughter, Stephanie and Lower Valley Hospice personnel in attendance. He was born July 1, 1921, the third of 8 children, to Harry Amos Foster and Hattie Marie Johnson on a farm outside of Brookings, South Dakota.
After service with the US Army in the European theater during WWII, he was discharged in 1945 and moved to Long Beach, California where he met and married our mother, Annabelle Hawkins, in 1947. Together, in 1950, they moved to Washington to be near his father who farmed outside of Grandview. Dad bought 20 acres near his father’s property, and he maintained a dairy herd there for the next 12 years. Thereafter, he worked for American Wine Growers of Grandview and also the Department of Highways before joining Seneca Foods in Prosser as an electrician.
Retiring from Seneca Foods Corp. after 18 years, he and mother became interested in Square Dancing and Round Dancing during the 1960’s, becoming members of the Prosser Goofer Hoofers. Later, dad joined the Lower Valley Elks Club; he and our mother were regulars at the dances there. He also became interested in wine and joined the Enological Society, where he and mom spent many years happily attending various wine-related functions. They also traveled extensively in their motorhome and took a number of cruises, as well as visiting Central and South America. During this time dad also became a ham radio operator and functioned as an examiner for local hams wanting to become licensed. Dad was an avid hunter for much of his life, joining a shooting club and even making his own ammunition.
He was also a proud veteran and supported a number of veterans’ organizations throughout his life. Dad was ambulatory, lucid until the end and he had what anyone would consider as a Good Death, that is, rapid and pain-free. Our heartfelt thanks go to Lower Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for their support over the past week.
Virgil was preceded in death by his wife, Annabelle. He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Foster of Prosser and Cynthia Foster of Puyallup. He is also survived by two sisters, Norma Foster of Tacoma and Shirley Wart of Kennewick and numerous nieces and nephews.
At his request, no services were held. Memorials may be made to Lower Valley Hospice. You may leave an online message of condolence for the family at www.prosserfuneralhome.com