Raymond Howard Foster

Article Last Updated; Thursday, November 05, 2009 12:08AM

Former Durango resident Raymond Howard Foster died in Grand Junction on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009. He was 81.

He was born to Howard N. and Audrey Foster in Delta on July 18, 1928. His family had been Western Slope pioneers, and his parents moved the family to Durango when he was a young child.

Mr. Foster's father was the mayor of Durango from 1946 to 1950. Mr. Foster graduated from Durango High School in 1946.

On July 20, 1951, he married Willie Speas in Jacksonville, Fla.

He was career Navy and a fighter pilot. Mr. Foster retired with the rank of commander after 30 years.

Mr. Foster was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Pueblo. He was a member of the Test Pilot's Association and a life member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

Mr. Foster is survived by his wife of 58 years, Willie Gene Foster, of Grand Junction; son, Howard Eugene Foster, of Cardington, Ohio; sister, Lois Rowley, of Silverthorne; and two nieces and one nephew.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. today, Nov. 5, 2009, at Adrian Comer Funeral Home in Pueblo. A service with military honors will take place at 12:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. Attendees are asked to gather at Staging Area C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Naval Relief Society, c/o Adrian Comer Funeral Home, 2710 N. Elizabeth St., Pueblo, CO 81003.