Date of Death: August 30, 2024
Service Details
A visitation rosary will be held on Tuesday, October 1 from 4-7 pm at Joldersma-Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, Michigan, with the rosary beginning at 6:30 pm. Funeral Mass will follow on Wednesday, October 2 at 11 am at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5855 E. W Ave. in Vicksburg, Michigan, followed by full military honors.
Obituary Notice
Foster, Ronald Joseph
9/9/1937-8/30/2024
Ron was born in Kalamazoo to Andrew and Elizabeth Foster. He passed peacefully in his home with loved ones caring for him.
After graduating from St. Augustine Catholic School, Ron attended Flint Barber College, and went on to open Foster’s Barber Shop in Portage. At the same time, Ron proudly served in the Army Reserves as a medic.
Soon after meeting the love of his life, Ron married Carole Brewer in 1963. Together they had three children: Ronald James, Stephanie (Ric) Sampson, and Julie (Brian Wood) Walters. They settled in Kalamazoo.
Wanting to change careers, Ron attended WMU’s Paper Technology program. He enjoyed sales, meeting many friends and entertaining colleagues. This was Ron’s niche, having a socially interactive job with travel elements and opportunities to use his God given gift of humor! Ron eventually used his knowledge and experience to open his own business, the RJ Foster Company and became a manufacturer’s representative. He was an interest owner in Twinsburg Mold, which gave him the ability to produce parts he created that were sold by his company. Ron was always an extremely hard worker, beginning as a young teen at a pool hall!
Ron’s dream of living on a farm came to fruition in the mid 70’s. It was important to him that his children grow up in a rural environment. There were cows and horses, vegetable gardens and summertime corn roasts. He had much to learn as a gentleman farmer, and did so with determination, hard work, and help from family, friends and neighboring farmers.
Along with billiards, Ron loved to golf in his spare time. He was in several leagues and enjoyed many golf trips, which led to his Snowbird status in Rotonda West, Florida, where he enjoyed more frequent golfing opportunities.
Ron is survived by his children as well as 9 grandchildren: Loren (Joey) Jackson, Hannah Sampson, Patric (Maggie) Sampson, Connor (Rachel) Sampson, Logan Walters, Sophie (Brent Smith) Walters, Jack (Valeria de Luna-Kent) Walters, Evan (Gaby Macanas-Romanelli) Sampson, and Owen Sampson. Ron also has 9 great-grandchildren who enjoyed his silly songs and unique nicknames that will stay with them forever!
Preceding Ron in death are his parents and ten siblings.
Additional Information
Donations in Ron’s memory can be made to Wounded Warrior Project. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or church.
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Uncle Ron is one of the last Great Stand-Up Comedians.
I really enjoyed our Taco Bob Tuesday’s the past few years.
At one of our Gringo round ups we watched a clip of the Foster Brooks Roast of Sammy Davis Jr. He was laughing so hard he had tears streaming down his face, we both did.
Our last phone conversation was a few weeks ago when I wanted to discuss the current political environment. He said just stay neutral, never discuss your political views with friends, family, or acquaintances, I replied good point.
I said it’s I like when I discuss religious views, I always say I am antagonistic, he said don’t you mean Agnostic? I said no the first one. 🙂
He really isn’t gone, and will never be forgotten. The next time you have a big belly laugh, he’ll be right there with you
watching, smiling, and laughing!
Link to “Foster” Brooks Roast:
https://youtu.be/2R1RTke9bC0
I have fond and lasting memories of my Uncle Ron starting with a ride in his new 1959 Corvette when he rushed me and my mom to a doctors office in Paw Paw to fix a cut on my hand while swimming at Maple Lake. Ron had and infectious smile and great sense of humor which included some good natured sarcasim. Though I’ll be out of town on business and unable to attend the services, my prayers are with my cousins and their families for the loss of a really good man.
When I look back at the parents of all the friends, The Foster’s were the genuine article. Ron always had an entertaining story to tell, which, if I was lucky, included a Black Label. Fond memories and heartfelt condolences to the entire family.