Melvin was born on August 7, 1938, in Kansas City, Kansas at the home, to John and Hazel Foster. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas and attended Quindaro Elementary, Northwest Junior High, and Wyandotte High School, graduating in 1957. In 1962, Melvin married Karen Elaine Cahill, and they shared 47 years of marriage until her passing in 2009. Together, they had one son, Christopher.
Melvin worked for 25 years with the Kroger Grocery Store chain, where he was an active member of the Retail Clerks Union. He then spent 22 years with Folger Coffee Company, where he was a dedicated member of the Machinists Union, until his retirement in 1999.
Melvin will be remembered for his outgoing personality and the kindness he extended to everyone he met. An avid gardener, he loved spending time outdoors on his many projects. Known as the ‘neighborhood dad,’ he was always ready to lend a helping hand.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hazel; his wife, Karen; and his siblings, Norman Foster, Eleanor Hamm, Joe Foster, and Carl Foster.
Melvin is survived by his son, Christopher Foster (Linda); granddaughters Sydney Hency (David), Alyssa McLellan (Connor), and Madisyn Foster (Semaj Gupton); as well as his beloved great-grandchildren Aubrielle, Kingston, Sawyer, Ka’Mari, and Graham.
A visitation will be held on August 19, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kansas. Graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Chapel Hill Cemetery.
He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved him.
