Gary Michael Foster

Gary Michael Foster, 71, of Little Rock, passed away Saturday, May 26th at Baptist Medical Center. Mike, as he was known to his family and friends, was preceded in death by his father, Doyle Foster and his mother, Ruey Hopper Foster of Little Rock. He is survived by his sister, Carol Kay Foster, of New York.

Mike was born April 28, 1947 in Lawrence, Kansas where his father, a World War II veteran and native Kansan, was attending the University of Kansas on the G.I. Bill. Mike spent most of his life in his mother’s hometown of Little Rock, where he graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1965. He received a BA from Tulane University and an MA from the University of Wisconsin, both in English literature.

As might be expected, Mike was an avid reader. He had a large personal library and was a regular patron of the Little Rock Public Library. His interests were not confined to what would formally be considered literature, but covered a wide range of topics of every sort including the arts, history, politics and current events.

Another interest was music. Mike had a large collection of records, primarily classical, but also including modern jazz and folk music. He also enjoyed classic movies of the 1930’s and 1940’s, particularly the film noir genre.

Mike was a quiet man whose natural shyness may have made him appear aloof, but in fact he maintained a keen interest in and affection for his family, his neighbors and his city. Even as a child, his demeanor was described as “solemn”, and his uneasiness in social situations meant that there were few who knew of his wit and sense of wry humor.

He was a devoted son to his parents and a loving brother to his sister.