Paul Alan Foster

Paul Alan Foster

1960 – 2020

Paul Alan Foster was born in Independence, Kansas, to Marilyn and Gary Foster on August 19, 1960. He grew up in Dewey, Oklahoma, and graduated from Dewey High School in 1978. Paul had an ideal high school career as he participated in various activities including football, basketball, and baseball; he served as band president and yearbook co-editor; and was recognized by his classmates as Most School Spirited and Yearbook Royalty. He was very active in the youth program at First United Methodist Church. Paul’s childhood was filled with weekend trips and long summer days spent at Grand Lake in Grove, Oklahoma. Paul loved fishing, water skiing, and early morning boat rides to watch the sunrise – all of which brought him much joy. Paul attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a degree in Accounting. In 1985, Paul met Susan Sanders at a retreat for college students at Canyon Camp, a United Methodist Church camp near Hinton, Oklahoma, and they fell in love and married in 1988. A month-long trip backpacking around Europe was a highlight of their early marriage. They became parents of three beautiful children, Nicholas, Jonathan, and Victoria, who were the lights of Paul’s life. He loved all things orange and black and enjoyed attending home OSU football games and traveling to bowl games with family and friends. He enjoyed golf and participating in all of his children’s activities including soccer, basketball, dance, and piano recitals. Trips to beautiful Red River, New Mexico, with his extended family became his happy place, and the memories they made are priceless. He was involved with Bible Study Fellowship for many years, and his children attended with him. He was a member of the United Methodist Church of the Servant and was a devout follower of Jesus Christ. Paul was a CPA, a certified auditor, and received his Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. His first job in Oklahoma City was with the City of Oklahoma City. He later became involved in the finance area of several Oklahoma City hospitals including University, St. Anthony’s, St. Michaels, and Mercy where he was Vice President of Finance. Following his diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimer’s, Paul became an advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association and spoke at the Capitol, Oklahoma State University, schools, and other organizations regarding the effect of Alzheimer’s on younger people and their families. He took part in the annual Walks to End Alzheimer’s and attended “Throwing for a Cure” disc golf tournaments organized by his son, Jonathan, benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association. Paul passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, following a lengthy battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Paul walked this difficult journey with complete faith in his Lord and Savior and hoped that through his experience glory would be brought to God. Paul would be humbled to know the countless ways God’s faithful servants cared for him and his family and the incredible life lessons of love and generosity his family will carry in their hearts always. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Earl Paul and Opal Rosemond Frazier and Leonard Alan and Edna Mae Foster, and his father-in-law, James L. Kienholz. Paul is survived by his wife, Susan; son, Nicholas; son, Jonathan; daughter, Victoria; his parents, Marilyn and Gary Foster of Grove, OK; his sister Lori Atkinson and her husband, Bill, of Grove, OK; his sister, Linda Foster, of Grove, OK; and his mother-in-law, Johnna Kienholz of the home. He is also survived by beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other treasured relatives and friends.

Visitation with the family will be held at Matthews Funeral Home, on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

A celebration of his life will be held at the United Methodist Church of the Servant, 14343 North MacArthur, Oklahoma City, on Monday, March 9, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. A reception will follow.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 6601 Broadway Extension, Unit 120, Oklahoma City, OK. 73116.