Eugene Lee Foster

October 20th of 1935 Eugene Lee Foster was born. For the next 24 years of his life Gene grew, learned, and wandered about Lake Jackson. He attended and graduated from Southwest Texas State University, well before it was simplified to Texas State. Gene worked odd and end jobs, dated some women whose hands were always a little too poor of a match for his, and waited for the next thing the Lord had in store for him. That next thing came in the form of Barbara Kay Gornowitz on a blind date his pastor set up in 1959. She was kind, she was determined, and her hand fit just perfectly in Gene’s. Their courtship was swift; comprised of honorable dates that often started with Barbara’s Father carrying her across the swamp of a front yard and ended with Gene carrying her back across to drop her off, right in time for curfew. As their love grew, Gene knew if he did not ask this woman to marry him, he would never find another match as long as he lived. He took a trip to Zale’s, made his first big shiny investment, and requested Barbara’s hand in marriage. Luckily for all their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, she said yes. Although she did have to forgo her senior prom if she also wanted a wedding that year, Barbara was sensible enough to see the value in choosing the latter. Gene was blessed, and is outlived by 4 children, Richard, Darryl, Melinda and Debra, three of which came in swift order, the fourth of which came as a surprise later than expected, but much to Gene’s joy. As a father, Gene’s determination, love and desire to raise a Godly family shown. He was never too good for any role that would put food in his children’s mouths and was often found working two jobs and even had a stent where he was only home on weekends to ensure his wife could stay home and raise their children. The couple spent most of their marriage in the DFW, where they enjoyed raising and watching their children spread their wings and fly, and each of their grandchildren come into the world. Gene is outlived by 6 grandchildren, Monica, Colby, Ashley, Matthew, Anna, and Andrew, he is proceeded into heaven by one grandchild, Alyson. Gene was the kind of grandfather that could be found at every single game, recital, competition, scrimmage, and even some practices. He put more miles on his truck attending football games to watch Colby play or Ashley cheer than most put on their cars in a lifetime. He added to those miles with Matthew’s hockey and miscellaneous other sports, Anna and Alyson’s soccer, Andrew’s football, even though that was out of state, and later in life put the final touch on with a few miles to Monica’s art show. Gene was a grand example of a father, and that experience made him a perfect candidate for a grandfather, but the Lord’s blessing on him did not stop there. Gene was also outlived by 5 great grandchildren, Finnley, Cooper, Haddix, Penny, and Olive. He is also outlived by two wombside great-grandchildren, due December 2023 and April 2024. As a great grandfather, Gene poured even more of his heart into his lineage, travelling to Nebraska for games and visits, sitting through cold soccer games with a smile on his face even when his great grandson refused to play and cried, he shared an individual bond with each great grandchild, and a new bit of his heart shined with each new addition.
Gene also had deep and meaningful community in Christ through his Church, First Baptist Euless, later to be renamed Cross City Church. Gene thrived in the mission field, spent over 50 years developing intentional and lifelong friendships, and lived his life through the lens and with the influence of scripture being first and foremost. Everyone who knew Gene knew of his love for ROMEO club, his Sunday school class, breakfast club, Naomi Jones, Jimmy Draper, Don Ray, and traditional, quiet hymnals. Gene was at church the Sunday before his passing, and only missed his last Sunday to go be in the best service ever in heaven. In his last days, Gene’s conversations were filled with longing for heaven, desire to see Jesus, and peace with the beautiful, meaningful, and full life he lived.
October 8th of 2023, almost exactly 88 years from his entrance to this world, Eugene Lee Foster took his last earthly breath, and breathed his first heavenly gasp. While we will miss him immensely, and selfishly, we do not grieve without hope. He is with his sweetheart, his granddaughter, some old friends, and most importantly, he is with Jesus.
Eugene was proceeded in death by his wife, Barbara, his son n law, Gordon McQuillin , and his granddaughter, Alyson Wylie.
He is survived by his son, Richard, and Karen, his wife and Darryl. His daughters, Melinda McQuillin and Debra Wylie and her husband Darin and his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.