Tommy N. Foster

Tommy N. Foster, 78, died peacefully February 19, 2015 at home following a courageous three year battle with lung cancer. He was born November 1, 1936 to Carl B. and Edna M. (Humes) Foster in Winchester, OH. at the home of his great-grandmother. He was the third generation to be born in this house on Grace's Run Road.
Tom was a 1954 graduate of Seaman High School where he excelled on the basketball court. His team was league champions during his senior year. Tom started his work career with Pennington Bakery and went on to work for Nickles Bakery in 1970. He was promoted to branch manager in 1979, a position that he held until his retirement in 1995. He was instrumental in opening the Washington Court House branch, which still thrives today.
Since retirement, Tom learned to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life, spending time with family, daily phone calls with his brother Bill, reading a good book, riding his 4-wheeler, gardening, watching basketball games, looking for deer and feeding the birds. When his wife complained about the black birds and raccoons eating the bird feed, Tom would say "Shirley, they need to eat too."
Tom loved all his neighbors and friends. He always looked forward to having visitors and made sure that he could see the driveway at all times. He wanted to be the first to know who was pulling in, whether it was Mark stopping by to talk about farming or hunting, Corey and Matt coming by to discuss the next Ohio State game, Jason and Ann bringing him fresh fried fish, Tom being neighborly and delivering the mail or Pat trying to fatten him up with some of her delicious southern cooking. Some days Tom's driveway needed a hitching post if his Mennonite friends were visiting. He enjoyed visiting Fred & Velma, Lloyd & Kathy and their families. The whole Mennonite community had a friend in Tom. He made friends easily wherever he went. Even though life would sometimes take them in different directions, Tom never forgot his good friends of his youth and was always so happy to see or hear from them.
Tom never went to church all his life, but made sure his wife and daughter always had a way to go. Finally on January 15, 2015, he accepted the Lord into his heart and found a peace that passes all understanding. He could often be heard on his sick bed praying for his family.
Although his passing has saddened our hearts, his living has made this world a better place.
Tom is survived by his wife Shirley, whom were married on April 12, 1969, three daughters Jennifer (Michael) Stroud of South Salem, Teresa Chaney of Seaman and Mary Beth (Terry) Louderback of Peebles; seven grandchildren, Tommy Johnson, Natalie Stroud, Kylee Stroud and Jonathan Stroud, Emilee (Corey) Arthur, Stefanie (Eric) Steward and Daniel Chaney; three great grandchildren, Haylee Arthur, Chloe Steward and Allison Steward, brother Bill (Gail) Foster of Port Charlotte, FL, two nieces, Angela Gibson and Tracy Foster and a host of wonderful neighbors and friends.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by an infant sister Anna Catherine Foster, a daughter Debra Foster and niece Rhonda Sanders.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Monday February 23, 2015 at the Thompson Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Burns officiating. Burial will follow at Rhoads Cemetery.
Friends may call from 2:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Sunday February 22, 2015 at the Thompson Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to the Adena Cancer Fund C/O Adena Health Foundation, 272 Hospital Rd. Chillicothe, OH 45601 or Adena Greenfield Medical Center Relay for Life, C/O/ Miranda Wise, 550 Mirabeau St. Greenfield, OH 45123, please put Tom's name with your donation.
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