Tommy Foster

Tommy Keith Foster, age 69 of Ozark, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 6, 2024. Tommy (Tom) Keith Foster was born October 29, 1954, in Arkansas City, Kansas, to Billy Foster and Esta (Potts) Foster.
Tom's family moved to Springfield, Missouri, where Tom worked at his father's Otasco store. Growing up, Tom enjoyed fishing with his dad, water skiing with his family, and summer vacations in Oklahoma. After graduating from Kickapoo High School, Tom attended Drury University and earned an associate's degree before moving to Dallas, Texas, to begin a career with Texas Instruments.
In a twist of fate that could rival any romance novel, Tom rekindled a relationship with his teenage sweetheart, Wanda Johns. This time, the first date was a little fancier than their meet up cruising the A & W parking lot in 1971. Tom insisted a steak from the swanky Johnny Loo's Restaurant seemed more appropriate. From that dinner date over Thanksgiving in the year 2000, Tom and Wanda started the new millennium together and never left each other again. After 24 years, Tom left Texas Instruments, returned to the Ozarks, partnered with Wanda in building homes, and eventually retired from Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) in 2019.
Tom and Wanda were married in a seaside castle in Ayrshire, Scotland. Following their dream wedding, the guest list (11 family members who ventured with them) followed Tom and Wanda to France to visit the burial site of Wanda's uncle, Charlie Manford Johns, a World War II service member killed in action. The family then traveled on to Paris to enjoy sightseeing, all the while Tom lovingly joking that "I'm the only newlywed who goes to Paris on my honeymoon-with 11 in-laws."
Tom held a special friendship with his father-in-law Harry "Hershel" Johns. Hershel and Tom enjoyed traveling together, and they both loved hunting pheasant, crafting culinary delights, sharing a good bottle of wine, and making homemade sausage. Extended family and friends were often treated to Hershel's fried wild turkey and Tom's famous smoked meats at gatherings.
Tom's journey here was enriched by a cherished circle of friends and family who traveled so many paths with him. Those who shared often in Tom's adventures and laughter include his lifelong friend Mason Payne, and family by marriage Faron and Cindy Adamson, Terry and Cathy Bumgarner, Jack and Robin House, and Mike and Debbie Owensby. On any given weekend, holiday, birthday, or anniversary, Tom always had something to celebrate with friends. He and Wanda could be found meeting up with these friends to play cards, travel, dine out, celebrate an event, or gather to hear local musicians. Tom touched the lives of so many extended family and friends through his love for traveling, storytelling, cooking, smoking meats, and snow skiing. His love of his Z Car led him to membership in the Z Club of Dallas and the desire to rebuild his 1972 Datsun 240 Z.
Tom is survived by his wife, Wanda Johns Foster, Ozark, his sister, Donna Foster, Springfield, sister-in-law Brenda Lande and Greg, Florida, Aunt Jo Wiggins, Nixa and Uncle Kenneth Potts and Linda, Texas, niece Katy Foster-Dugan, nephews Sean and Finnegan Dugan and Galen Lande and many beloved cousins and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Esta Foster, and his father-in-law, Hershel Johns.
In lieu of flowers, donations could be made to the American Cancer Society. As a special request, and in honor of Tom's memory, reconnect with an old friend, explore a new place, cook and share something delicious, or reach out to a person you love and as you hug them say "I love doing life with you."
Memorial funeral services for Tom will be 2:00 P.M. Monday, October 14, 2024 in Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in Ozark City Cemetery. Visitation will be 1:00 P.M. Monday until service time in the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared at www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com.