Ronald Brown Foster

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Joyous was the reunion of Mom and Dad on Tuesday, June 21, 2011 when Ronald Brown Foster graduated from this earthly university of life.

Dad was born January 4, 1926 in Pocatello, Idaho to Claxton Edwin and Lorena Ellen Brown Foster. He attended schools in Idaho graduating from Rigby High School in 1944. Following graduation, he served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. He also served as a missionary for the LDS Church in the Western States Mission.

Upon returning he was introduced to a "new school teacher" in town and there began an eternal relationship with Naomi Clark. They were married in the Salt Lake LDS Temple on August 17, 1949. Marrying a school teacher encouraged him to graduate from Ricks College and Utah State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agronomy. He received a Masters Degree from the University of Arizona.

They enjoyed traveling, spending time at the cabin in Island Park and enjoying warmer weather in St. George. An ultimate bonding experience for them was serving an 18-month mission on the Island of St. Thomas.

As the oldest sibling, Dad learned early the meaning of hard work. He spent time working in plant breeding in Tucson, Arizona then moved to Teton Valley (Driggs, Idaho) as County Extension Agent and was employed at the University of Idaho Experiment Station in Aberdeen, Idaho. With six children, a full time job which required much travel, and a small acreage of land, a major decision to go into farming fulltime was made. Blood, sweat and tears filled the next 30 years of farming... blood when Dad lost the end of his finger in the shop door, sweat every day of physical labor, and tears from the joys and disappointments of life, however, hours of boating, fishing and hunting brought him much pleasure. Dad returned to a more professional aspect of farming by serving as the Executive Director of the Idaho Sugar Beet Growers Association, which meant a move to Boise, Idaho. They later moved to Pleasant View, Utah.

Dad exemplified work through service. He served in numerous church calling including Bishop in the Aberdeen 3rd Ward. He was very generous with time and means in helping others. Many hours were spent in community service through agricultural boards.

Dad is survived by six children, Jolene (Mike) Emery, Nampa, ID; Ronald Craig (Kalleen) Foster, West Haven; Bruce Clark (Kathy) Foster, Aberdeen, ID; Janalee (Murray) Olsen, Pleasant View; Marc Brown (Terri) Foster, Aberdeen, ID; Jilane (Scott) Mee, Farmington; 27 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; a brother Gary (Jefferine) Foster and a sister, Bernice Spahr.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers, Dewain and Kent; and a sister, Sharon.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 25th at 11 a.m. at the Pleasant View South Stake Center, 3602 North 500 West.

The family will meet with friends on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s North Ogden Mortuary, 2140 North Washington Blvd. and Saturday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the Stake Center.

Interment, Farmington City Cemetery (under his protest).

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Perpetual Education Fund or the Missionary Fund.

The family wishes to express their thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans Home for the love and care given to our Dad.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lindquistmortuary.com