Col. Edward Lanier Foster, USA Retired

Edward Lanier Foster, 76, of Sun City, Texas, died June 23, 2010 from a short three month battle with cancer. He was born in Griffin, Georgia to Alvin Harris Foster, Sr. and Ernestine Norris Foster. Growing up in Barnesville, Georgia, Lanier and his two brothers were graduates of Gordon Military College.

After 32 years of combined military service with the U.S. Army, Lanier retired as a Colonel. His military education includes ’55, 11th Airborne School, Ft. Campbell, Kentucky; ‘56, O.C.S., Ft. Benning, Georgia; ’68, Advanced Infantry Course, Ft. Benning, Georgia; ’72, 82nd Jumpmaster Course, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina; ’74, Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; and ’78, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Military awards include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal. His state awards include the Texas Faithful Service Medal, 3rd Award, the Texas Medal of Merit, and the Texas Outstanding Service Medal. Colonel Foster’s last military assignment was the Office of Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, at the Pentagon.

Perhaps one of the proudest days of Colonel Foster’s military career came on 15 September 1973 when he made his 65th airborne jump at Blackwell Drop Zone, Camp Swift, Texas which qualified him for the Master Parachutists Badge.

A graduate of The University of Texas, Lanier later went on to become a C.P.A. For many years he also was a Realtor in Austin, Texas. He had a special affinity for teaching, whether it be map reading to Officer Candidate classes, tax courses for the Austin Board of Realtors, computer classes at Austin Community College, or coaching his children’s soccer and basketball teams.

Lanier was a member of Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Andice, Texas and honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus. He served many years in Austin on the Home Association of the Knights of Columbus Council #1017 as well as on the board of the Home of the Holy Infancy (Marywood). Lanier and Claire were among the founding members of St. John Neuman in West Lake Hills. In 1974 Lanier was honored by the City of West Lake Hills for his service as Treasurer. Additionally, he was a former Director and Life Member of the National Guard Association of Texas.

Lanier is survived by his wife of 49 years, Claire Guarino Foster; children, Matthew N. Foster, Dr. Careen Foster, Suzanne V. Tobleman and husband Dr. Ross Tobleman; grandchildren, Kendall and Collin Foster, Abigail and William Tobleman. He is also survived by his brother, Norris Foster and wife Kathryn of Pine Mountain, Georgia and numerous cousins and extended family in Georgia. Lanier is predeceased by his stepmother, Frances Stallings Foster and younger brother, Alvin Harris Foster, Jr.

Although Lanier’s battle with cancer was brief, his eleven year recovery from a massive hemorrhagic stroke was a daily inspiration of his determination and character to all who knew and loved him.

On Thursday, July 15, 2010 a recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Santa Rosa Catholic Church in Andice, Texas, at eight thirty in the morning. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at nine o'clock in the morning. A graveside service where military honors will be rendered, will follow at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to the American Stroke Association, P.O. Box 841125, Dallas, TX 75284.

Arrangements by Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.