Dr. Benjamin Earl Foster, Jr.

A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Benjamin E. Foster, Jr. will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at First Methodist Church, 500 Common St., Shreveport, LA with a reception to follow. Officiating the service will be Dr. Pat Day. Dr. Foster passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, December 21, 2024. He was born in Bossier City, LA, on July 18, 1953, to June Carnahan Foster and the late Benjamin E. Foster, Sr. 

Ben grew up in Bossier City, LA and attended Bossier High School where he was a part of the marching band. He graduated from Bossier High in 1971 and completed his pre-dental courses at Louisiana Tech University. He received a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) from LSU Dental School in New Orleans, LA, in 1978. It was during this time that he started to develop a lifelong love for New Orleans. He then completed a post-doctoral residency in orthodontics in 1981 again through the LSU Dental School. He opened his orthodontic practice in 1981 at 1914 East 70th Street and proceeded to put smiles on the faces of the people of the Shreveport-Bossier area for over 40 years. Dr. Foster was a pioneer in the field of orthodontics and was constantly seeking ways to stay on the cutting edge. 

Ben is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of more than 49 years, Pam Carmical Foster; two children, Michael Brandon Foster (Beth) and Benjamin Cole Foster (Allison); and mother, June Carnahan Foster.  He is also survived by his six grandchildren, who affectionately called him Granddad (despite his original request to be called El Magnifico): Mae Elise Foster, Laney Claire Foster, Charlotte Jane Foster, Anna Claire Foster, Lillian Maria Foster, and Benjamin Cole Foster, Jr; mother-in-law, Shirley Carmical; sister, Terri Hollis (Steve); brother, Marty Foster (Carla); sister-in-law, Debbie Lohnes and brother-in-law, David Carmical (Patti). He had numerous wonderful nieces. He was dedicated to his family and treasured his time with them all.

In addition to his tireless commitment to his orthodontic practice, Ben was an avid outdoorsman and aviator. If he wasn’t in Shreveport perfecting his craft of orthodontics, he could be found in New Orleans enjoying Mardi Gras with his family, hollering for beads, and dancing in the streets to the marching bands. The last 10 years he could usually be found chasing the next trout on a Colorado river. 

His family is forever grateful to Dr. Jonathan Eaton and the entire staff of the LSU Ochsner Medical ICU for their compassion and excellent medical care. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be sent to Volunteers of America North Louisiana, 360 Jordan St, Shreveport, LA 71101 First Methodist Shreveport, 500 Common St, Shreveport, LA 71101 and Holy Angels, 10450 Ellerbe Rd, Shreveport, LA 71106.