Everett Foster

Everett "Paul" Foster, 76, of Auxvasse, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2013, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mexico. He was born May 22, 1937, to the late Leo and Beulah (Youngblood) Foster in Mexico, Mo. On March 21, 1959, he was united in marriage to Grace Dorene Cox, who preceded him in death on March 25, 1988. On October 6, 1990, Paul was united in marriage to Dorothy (Jones) Foster, who survives at their home. Paul was a member of the Richland Baptist Church in Kingdom City. He served in the Navy for 20 years between 1954 and 1974 and worked as a Senior Chief Fire Control Technician. During his time in the Navy he traveled to countries across the globe including Japan, China, Italy, France, Greece, and Germany. He taught for four years at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He later worked as a truck driver for the Navy. During his service he earned five Good Conduct Medals, the China Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. After his service, Paul graduated from college in Virginia Beach, Va. and earned an associate degree in business and accounting. He later went to school in Georgia to learn to drive a tractor trailer and worked in civil service. In 1990, he returned to Missouri where he married his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy, whom he has known since he was six years old. Paul enjoyed traveling, camping with Dorothy in their fifth-wheel trailer and used to belong to a camping club. He enjoyed bowling, playing pool, crossword puzzles, mowing his lawn, listening to bluegrass, and playing cards with friends and family. In addition to his wife, Paul will be lovingly remembered by: two daughters, Bobbie Smith (Joe) of Newport, R.I. and Janice Gardner of Woodstock, Ga.; three sons, Jack Foster (Jennifer) of Pawtucket, R.I., Eric Foster (Karen) of Virginia Beach, Va., and Eron Foster (Nancy) of Auxvasse, Mo.; three step-children, Lynne Smith (Jerry) and Cheryl Morris (Ed), both of Auxvasse, Mo., and Brian Jones of Quincy, Ill.; two brothers, Earl Foster (Virginia) and Neal Foster (Lea Ann), both of Auxvasse, Mo.; 10 grandchildren, Jessica Cook, Amber Foster, Lauren Swaim, Davis Gardner, Clarissa Gardner, Justin Foster, Evan Foster, Destini Foster, Kira Foster and Amber Meredith; seven great-grandchildren, Kai Foster, Holden Cook, Johanna Cook, Layla Hobart, Rilee Swaim, Kenny Swaim and Camille Moser; nine step-grandchildren, Rachel Gladow, Jennifer Smith, Caleb Smith, Bethany Morris, Jacob Morris, Schuyler Jones, Kylie Jones, Brayden Jones and Brodie Jones; and two step-great-grandchildren, Emily Gladow and Henry Gladow. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and Wayne Foster; and two sisters, Ethel Meador and Elizabeth Mize. Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, 2013, at Richland Baptist Church in Kingdom City with Reverend Larry Paris officiating. Burial will follow in Auxvasse Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10 at Debo Funeral Home in Fulton. In lieu of customary memorials, the family suggests memorial donations be made in Paul's name to Gideons International or Missouri Veteran's Home Assistance League, c/o Debo Funeral Home, 833 Court Street, Fulton, MO 65251. Condolences can be sent by visiting www.debofuneralhome.com.