Thomas P. Foster

Tom was born in Haskell Texas to Hubert Foster and Gladys Moize. He attended Lubbock High School and graduated in 1948.

Shortly after graduation he joined the Air Force and was a decoder in Japan during the Korean Conflict. After returning to the states, Tom joined the Lubbock Fire Department on October 16, 1952. He became a driver on March 16, 1956. He was later promoted to Lieutenant in December 1962.Tom was promoted to Captain on March 31, 1967 in which he began the training of firefighters for the LFD. In June of 1970, he was promoted to District Chief. On August 16, 1975 he was promoted to Fire Chief of the Lubbock Fire Department. He served in this capacity for the next 10 years. While fire chief he built several new first stations and worked diligently to upgrade the fire departments equipment.

Upon retirement from the Lubbock Fire Department he and his wife moved to College Station in January 1986, where he began his new adventure as Associate Director of TEEX. For the next 10 years Chief Foster was instrumental in upgrading projects and laid grounds for further improvement at the fire field. He was also instrumental in establishing Task Force I.

Chief Foster retired from TEEX in 1996. Tom was appointed to the State Fire Commision of Texas by the governor of Texas. He was President of Texas Fire Chief Association. Chief Foster also taught classes at the National Fire Academy. He was an avid golf player, an artist, a poet and loved music.

Tom was also a member of Parkway Baptist church where he served in many areas, he was a deacon, he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and Awanas. Tom’s deepest passion was missions, in which he became involved and supported Operation Christmas Child.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Betty Billington, Vera Cardwell and Vera Bailey.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ann of 64 loving years, his son Wesley Foster of Conroe, his daughter Teresa and her husband Kenny Toney of Caldwell, and Trina and her husband Tim Walker of Nashville, Tenn. Tom, better known as “Paw” to his grandchildren, Kyle, Kory, Cody, Dusty, Jacob, and Tessa. He also had 12 great-grandchildren Kysen, Kaden, Klaire, Kambree, Kolby, Kipton, Kaegan, Avianna, Haley, Luke, Maddie Grace, and Catie Beth. His grandchildren and “greats” were the ray of sunshine in his life.

In lieu of flowers, it was Tom’s wish that those that desire may do so by supporting Operation Christmas Child through Parkway Baptist Church 1401 Southwest Parkway, College, Station 77840.