Larry Foster

Larry Gene Foster went to be with his Lord on Friday, November 7, 2014 at the University Hospital of Cleveland after losing his battle with kidney failure. Larry was born in Norwalk, Ohio on November 12, 1941 to Arthur O. Foster and H. Lorraine (Sexton) Foster.

Larry grew up on Careys Run in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was a direct descendant of the Shawnee Indians which he was very proud of. He overcame many health issues in his 72 years, one of which took away his hearing by the age of 16. He went on to graduate from Portsmouth West High School, class of 1960, in the top 10% of the class. Larry then attended The Ohio State University for two years and graduated from Franklin University with a degree in Design Engineering. Larry worked at Hartman Electric and Therm-O-Disc. He went on to start his own business, Design Services, designing machines for Stevens Manufacturing and Hi Stat. Still fighting Crohn's disease and receiving a liver transplant at University Hospital of Cleveland in 1995 (19 years ago), Larry went on to start Logan Pine Kennel with his wife of 50 years, Penelope "Penny" Foster. They were married on June 27, 1964. His life centered around his family, son, Ryan (Kelley) Foster and grandchildren, Stone Martin, Gage Robert, and Brinley Dawn of Westerville, Ohio and daughter, Dawn Foster of Mansfield.

Larry had a great passion for his love of nature, flowers, and his beloved bluebirds. He was very proud his property was certified by the National Wildlife Federation as an official Backyard Wildlife Habitat Site. He was an avid Ohio State Buckeyes, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Reds fan. He passed away wearing his OSU hat. He was affiliated with Grace Fellowship Church. Larry was a member of the Ohio Bird Society, Audubon Society, Wildlife Haven, Arbor Day Foundation, Earth Justice, and Humane Society of Richland County.

Larry is survived by his mother, H. Lorraine Foster; brother, Philip (Jill) Foster, both of South Bend, IN; sister, Jane (Lanny) Brown of Crestline; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Tasman, Kathy Barth, both of Mansfield, Nancy (Larry) Jones of Portage, MI, and Lillian (Greg) Wilson of Gahanna; brother-in-law, Jimmy Moore of Venice, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends; and man's best friend, his dog, LUMP. He was preceded in death by his father and his sister, Geri Moore.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 p.m. on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at Grace Fellowship Church, 365 Straub Road East, Mansfield, followed by a service honoring his life at 2 p.m., conducted by Eders Ray Nethery and Steve McKee. Larry's ashes will be scattered at the places he loved best. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Wildlife Haven in Crestline, Ohio, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, Humane Society of Richland County, or DD Rescue, PO Box 681, from whom he got his dog, LUMP. This is a celebration of Larry's life, please dress casual and Ohio State attire welcomed.