Buford Lee Foster, 91, died on March 28, 2011. Buford was born on March 17, 1920 to Luther and Cora Foster in Leipers Fork, Williamson County, Tennessee. He had the unique experience of having his mother as his teacher in the first eight grades in the county schools. He graduated from Hillsboro High School as Salutatorian. He then went on to get his B.S. degree from State Teachers College, now Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee. During this time he participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program and upon graduating, he enrolled in the Army Air Corps. He received his training at Uvalde, Randolph and Kelly Fields in Texas. After receiving his Wings, he was assigned to the 10th Transport Group. He was stationed on Guadalcanal where his 64th Squadron, of which he was Operations Officer, had responsibility for ferrying troops and supplies.
Following his discharge from the Air Corps, Mr. Foster was hired by Delta Air Lines in June, 1945. He often remarked that “Flying for Delta beat working for a living” because he considered his career a pleasure for which he was paid. He was fortunate to advance to Captain within a year of being hired. During his tenure, he flew the DC-3, Convair 440, DC-6, DC-7, DC-8, Convair 880, Boeing 747, and Lockheed 1011. He was flying an international route at retirement, and was a member of Delta Golden Wings where he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow retired pilots and their wives.
Captain Foster was a long-time member of Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and the Lafayette Davis Bible Class there. More recently, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Roswell and the Faithful Friends Bible Class. These fellowships were quite special to him.
Captain Foster had several hobbies to which he was avidly dedicated - ham radio, fly fishing, skeet and trap shooting, hunting and photography. As K4RPK, he was on the DX Honor Roll of the AARL. He confirmed having made contact with 367 countries. A charter member of the Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited, he considered Montana streams among his favorite places to fly fish. The many friends associated with these activities brought him much pleasure.
“Breezy’s” survivors include his wife of 68 years, Dorothy, daughter Patti Elder and husband Bill, son Michael Foster and wife Anne, grandson David Elder and wife Stacey, grandson Michael Foster, Jr., granddaughter Barbara Anne and husband Wesley Turner, and great-grandson Cooper Elder.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 7 pm Thursday, March 31. A Celebration of Life will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, April 1 followed by a reception. All will be held at the Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA. Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Roswell building fund.
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