Steven L. Foster

Steve was born on November 4, 1934, in McAllen, Texas, to Fred and Waneta Foster. He grew up in Hunt, Texas, alongside his brothers John, Wesley, and Ted, and his sister Donna. Some of his fondest childhood memories were formed along the banks of the Guadalupe River, where he spent countless hours exploring, swimming, and creating adventures with his siblings.

He often shared stories of Boy Scouts, attending the Methodist Church, playing football, and even skipping school to swim in the river. He also made his one and only performing debut in his third-grade Christmas pageant. Steve was quite the mischievous kid and was no stranger to adventure. One favorite family story involved him and his brother Ted attempting to smoke a squirrel out of a tree and accidentally setting a field on fire, resulting in nearly ten acres burned—a tale his family never tired of hearing.

In December of his senior year of high school, Steve left school to join the United States Marine Corps, where he proudly served his country as a machine gunner during the Korean War.

Following his military service, he attended Southwest Texas State University while working and taking classes at night. In January 1961, he met the love of his life, Lil. After just nine months, they were married on September 9, 1961, beginning a remarkable partnership that would span more than six decades. In September 2025, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

After earning his degree, Steve and Lil settled in San Antonio, where they raised their three daughters: Patti, Pam, and Paula. Faith was always at the center of their home. Together, they faithfully served their church, sponsored numerous youth groups through MYF, participated in mission trips, hosted Bible studies, opened their home for countless gatherings, and became known for welcoming friends and family to their annual Super Bowl parties.

When asked what made him smile, Steve’s answer was always simple: “Watching my three girls grow up.” He took immense pride in his daughters and often said that one of his greatest blessings was seeing them become accomplished women who married men he loved as his own. He truly considered Mac, Casey, and Dana gifts from God and delighted in recruiting them into his grand schemes.

Education was important to Steve, and one of his proudest professional accomplishments was earning his master’s degree and serving as Director of Vocational Programs for North East Independent School District, where he dedicated his career to helping students prepare for meaningful futures.

To know Steve was to love him. He approached life with enthusiasm, curiosity, and energy. His hobbies were far too numerous to count. He loved camping, canoeing, jogging, cycling, wood carving, restoring antique tractors, and spending time outdoors.

Nearly every summer, the family traveled to Nutrioso, Arizona, to spend the Fourth of July with Lil’s side of the family, affectionately known as “The Miller Clan.” Steve was always right in the middle of designing the family’s float for the Springerville Parade. His ideas were always over the top and often took first place. The blue ribbons are still proudly displayed at the family cabin—a place that hosted countless family reunions and celebrations and is known to our family as “about as close to Heaven as you can get on Earth.” Next spring, Steve’s ashes will be buried there beside two of his brothers-in-law and his nephew.

Steve completed at least six marathons and participated in countless running and cycling events throughout the years. Beginning on March 11, 1968, he meticulously charted his mileage, and by September 4, 1980, he had logged more than 10,000 miles before deciding to stop counting. He was a charter member of the San Antonio Roadrunners. Whatever he pursued, he did so wholeheartedly.

Steve adored his wife, Lil, and treated her as the treasure she is. Their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren never doubted the depth of his love for her. While he celebrated many accomplishments throughout his life, his family was always his greatest source of pride and joy.

If you spent more than ten minutes with Steve, you quickly learned about the people he considered his finest achievement—his six grandchildren: Austin, Dakota, Rhodes, Foster, Colby, and his beloved Dani. He loved them fiercely, bragged about them often, and genuinely believed they were the most remarkable grandchildren to ever walk the earth.

As those grandchildren grew, married, and built families of their own, Steve and Lil were blessed to welcome Kendra and Sheila into the family through marriage, with Isabelle and Taylor soon to join them.

Then came the title he cherished most: Great-Grandpa. Beckett and Kensie brought him immeasurable joy. Whenever they entered the room, everything else seemed to fade away as his attention turned completely to them.

Above all else, Steve loved Jesus Christ. His faith guided his life, shaped his character, and influenced the way he loved others. His kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and unwavering devotion to his family leave a legacy that will continue for generations.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Waneta Foster; his in-laws, Jack and Bernice Miller; his brother John Foster and wife Norma; his brother Wesley Foster and wife Eileen; his sister Donna Graham and husband Jay; his sister-in-law Margie Foster; his baby brother Stanley; his brothers-in-law Jack Miller and Doug Miller; and his nephews Craig Miller and Roger Foster.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Lil Foster; his brother, Ted Foster; his daughters and sons-in-law, Patti and David (Mac) McDaniel, Pam and Casey Smartt, and Paula and Dana Durocher; his grandchildren, Austin and Sheila McDaniel; Dakota and Kendra McDaniel; Rhodes Smartt and his fiancée, Isabelle; Foster Smartt and his fiancée, Taylor; Colby Durocher; and Danielle Durocher; and his cherished great-grandchildren, Beckett McDaniel and Kensie McDaniel. He is also survived by a large extended family that includes numerous nieces and nephews, many great-nieces and great-nephews, bonus grandchildren, and countless friends whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

Though our hearts ache in his absence, we rejoice in knowing that he has been welcomed home by his Savior. His life was well lived, his race well run, and his legacy of faith, love, family, and service will endure forever.

And we know that as he entered the gates of Heaven, Jesus met him there and said, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”

A Celebration of Life will be held on June 20, 2026, at 11:00 am at Springs Community Church, located in McKenna, 801 W San Antonio St., New Braunfels, TX 78130.