Gregory "Greg" Scott Foster

Gregory “Greg” Foster, stubborn to a fault but loved all the more for it, passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 at the age of 78. He left this world much as he lived in it — on his own terms. Born on August 3, 1947 in Columbus, Ohio, Greg lived life with a tough exterior, a saucy sense of humor, and an unwavering belief that his opinion was the correct one — on every subject, from politics to the best brand of potato chips. He was a 1965 graduate of Washington Community High School in Washington, Illinois. He attended one year of college at Western Illinois University and a second year at Canton Community College. Greg was drafted into the Army in 1968 and learned Morse Code at Fort Hachuca, Arizona. He then spent 18 months stationed in Germany before returning to live in Louisville, Kentucky.

Greg started in the automotive industry in his 20s, working for his father-in-law at Falls City Dodge. He was a service manager for 35 years, with many of those at Montgomery Chevrolet, Bob Smith Chevrolet, and Tom Payette. He took his job and customers seriously and made sure to treat his customers right. When he wasn’t working, you could find Greg sitting at the kitchen table, reading the paper, working on a crossword puzzle, or in the yard (probably staring at the house with a contemplative look and a cigarette in his mouth!). Greg was very much a creature of habit, evident by his daily routine, including his hair styling (when he had it!) which involved a fair amount of Rave hairspray, and his “uniform” of plaid shirts, Dickies work pants, and topsiders. He loved a good joke - the bawdier the better- and he was more than happy to share tales from his youth, including the fact that he was a Concert Pianist and did multiple “recitals” at Wheaton College (Billy Graham’s Alma mater).

For the last 7 years, he lived with one of his many daughters and her rowdy kids, where he perfected the fine art of television watching and ordering the kids to grab him another ginger ale. His constant companion was his treasured TV Guide, which he read faithfully cover to cover — yes, even the ads. He told saucy, inappropriate jokes to his children long before we were old enough to appreciate (or repeat) them, drank and smoked far too much, and famously told his 12 grandchildren that his shaved head wasn’t bald — his hair was just “clear.”

Greg loved his ex-wife, Kathy, even if they couldn’t make marriage work. Their friendship endured, and she is among those deeply saddened by his passing. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Selby and Ella Mae (“Stride”) Foster, and his younger sister, Janet Sylva and husband, John, and his former sister-in-law, Pat Ziegele. He is survived by his children — Meredith (Whaley) and husband Brent, Allison (Hughes) and husband Aaron, Lauren (Blalock) and husband Barry, Leslie Foster, and Eric Orton — who inherited varying degrees of his wit, stubbornness, and questionable taste in humor. He is also survived by his younger brother, Doug and wife Becky; His former sister-in-law, and good friend, Pam Hill; former sister-in-law, Debbie Hands; his 3 nieces and nephews, Traci Moses, John “Johnny” Sylva and Ashley Foster; as well as his extended Florida family. He was blessed with 12 grandchildren (Caroline, Eleanore, Graham and Elliott Whaley; Ashley, Lacey, AJ and Addison Hughes; Harrison, Anna, Clara and Ella Blalock) who will miss his one-liners and unapologetic personality.

Greg taught us to laugh loudly, stand our ground, and never pretend to like something just to be polite (but you had better be polite!). A private celebration of Greg’s life will be held for close friends and family. In his honor, pour yourself a strong drink, light something the Surgeon General warns against, watch something you actually enjoy (he’d suggest The Big Bang Theory, Ghosts, or anything on the History Channel) and argue your point until the bitter end. He would’ve liked that.