Gary Lee Foster

Gary Lee Foster returned to his loving Heavenly Father on the morning of his 89th birthday, May 21st, 2023. Born in Safford, Arizona on May 21, 1934, the son of Lee and Genevieve Daley Foster. Gary brought joy and warmth to everyone he met. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, neighbor and friend. He is deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Gary attended Brigham Young University and Arizona State University where he graduated with Bachelor of Agriculture. Gary met his sweetheart, Nancy McAlister, in Thatcher, Arizona, and married in the Mesa Arizona LDS temple on June 3, 1960. Together, Gary and Nancy built a fulfilling life and career in Riverside County California, where Gary was the Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture. Gary's dedication to his Heavenly Father and community was manifest in his volunteer work in the Air National Guard and as an LDS Missionary in the Eastern Canadian Mission from 1954 to 1956. Gary continued his volunteer efforts as an LDS Bishop, High Councilor, Boy Scouts leader and LDS representative on the Hemet California Interfaith Council, which he was so proud to be a part of. Gary was gifted with seeing the best in people and loved nothing more than a formal sit-down dinner with his family. 

Gary's indomitable spirit lives on in his family, who will always cherish the memories they shared together. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; their four children, Lee Foster (Julie), John Foster (Evangeline), Paul Foster, Beth Holzendorf (Bill), fifteen grandchildren;  fifteen great grandchildren and sister, Caroline Palmer. Gary was preceded in death by his loving parents, Lee and Genevieve Daley Foster. As we remember Gary, let us cherish his unwavering love for his family, his steadfast commitment to his community, and his ability to bring light and laughter into every room he entered. 

Gary’s life will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Green Valley 1st Ward Chapel at 511 Valley View Drive St. George, Utah. Friends may come from 9:30-10:30 am. Interment, with military honors, will be at the Tonaquint Cemetery. 

We invite you to share your memories of Gary and upload cherished photos to his memorial page so that we may all remember the wonderful man he was, and the impact he had on our lives.

Gary's memorial page can be found at the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/gary-foster-2023