Calvin Louis Foster was born February 26, 1925 in Leedey, Oklahoma to Con C. and Gladys V. Foster. He passed away in Clifton, Texas on May 30, 2015 at the age of 90. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 6, 2015 at the Clifton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Clifton Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening, June 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Cal grew up in Leedey and graduated from Leedey High School. During his early years, he learned musical talents from his parents. His mother played and taught piano and his father played string banjo. He began playing the trombone professionally at age 13, a vocation that would continue throughout his lifetime.
During World War II, Cal served his country in the U.S. Army Air Corps. An aircraft mechanic, he received his Honorable Discharge in 1945. During his spare time, he played in a jazz sextet touring several bases in Kansas and Illinois, entertaining stateside troops.
Throughout a long and varied business career, Cal was the consummate “Salesman”. While maintaining his business career, which required extensive travel, he also played western swing in evening and weekend performances as time allowed. In 1970, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he played extensively for 18 years, introducing a great many people to western swing music. He moved to Clifton in 1988. On July 21, 2001, he was inducted into the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest Hall of Fame. Cal was a dedicated Rotarian for over 40 years. He was a member of numerous Rotary Clubs, including Clifton Rotary and Northwest Waco Rotary (30+ years Perfect Attendance). Cal also received the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. In 2014, he established the “Calvin Foster Rotary 4 Way Test Scholarship” endowment fund. Contributions in his honor can be sent to: Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, 2932 NW 122nd, Suite D, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife, Verna Ruth Foster, and wife, Edna Eyrle Foster. He is survived by his daughter, Judy WIggins and husband James, of Plainview; son, Richard Foster and wife, Judy of Lubbock; sister, Bette Penner of Fairview; five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice Sunset, PO Box 71, Clifton, TX 76634.
Condolences may be made at www.cliftonfh.com.
The Cheyenne Star, June 4, 2015