Towsend Oast

Townsend Oast PORTSMOUTH - Townsend Oast, 79, of Westminster Canterbury of Virginia Beach, died Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009. Mr. Oast was a native of Portsmouth, and the son of the late Judge William H. Oast and Martha King Oast. He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Ann Powell Oast. Mr. Oast was retired as president of the Southwest Hampton Roads area of SunTrust Bank. He was the "Father" of People's Bank of Chesapeake, and served as president. Mr. Oast was a graduate of Fishburne Military School and Washington & Lee University where he received his undergraduate and law degrees. Between undergraduate and law school, he served as a U.S. Army sergeant. He was the founder and member of the Chesapeake Rotary Club where he served as president, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. Mr. Oast was past president of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and past president of the Virginia Bankers Association. He served on the boards of Hunter Foundation, Hoffman Industries and Westminster Canterbury Foundation. Mr. Oast was a longtime member of Norfolk Yacht and Country Club and "The Friday Club." He was a member of Monumental United Methodist Church and the Walter Gum Sunday school class. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving daughter, Ellen Oast Keeter and her husband Kennon Coles Keeter Jr.; and two grandsons, Robert Townsend Keeter and William Coles Keeter, all of Virginia Beach. He was predeceased by his son, Townsend Oast Jr.; brother, Judge William H. Oast Jr.; and sister, Alice Tabb Oast Morse of Portsmouth. He is also survived by his brother, John King Oast of Portsmouth; brothers-in-law, Watson O. Powell Jr. and wife Herman Powell of Richmond, Va., and Milton Brown of Portsmouth; and sister-in-law, Martha Ann Oast of Portsmouth. Mr. Oast is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating his rich life will be held Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at 11 a.m. at Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth. A reception will be held in the church social hall immediately following the service. Burial will be private. The family is grateful for all the love and care of friends, family, and the nurses at the Westminster Canterbury Hoy Center. In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Endowment Fund of Monumental United Methodist Church, 450 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, VA 23704 or the Westminster Canterbury Fellowship Foundation, 3100 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. Arrangements are being handled by Foster Funeral Home, Portsmouth.