STEPHEN FOSTER Sr.

STEPHEN FOSTER, SR. 10/26/1945 - 12/8/2025 Stephen Eugene Foster, Sr., 80, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 26, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, Stephen's life was a testament to love, faith, family, and perseverance. Stephen was a father to five children, and a grandfather to eleven. He believed in the power of family and dedicated his life to creating a loving and supportive home. Stephen's countless stories, fatherly advice and warm hugs will be remembered by all who knew him. Stephen dedicated his life to mentoring young athletes, leading countless bible studies and classes, writing hundreds of timeless pieces of work, including newspaper articles, personal columns and two published books, Sunshine Mountain and Lessons from Little League and Life. In 1978, Stephen married the love of his life, Deborah Bryant Russell, and together the two blended their families and created a loving, faith-filled home. Stephen and Deborah drove to work together for over 20 years, as they worked side by side in Dallas County Probate Courtrooms. Through the years, they made wonderful friends, enjoyed traveling to see their children and grandchildren and enjoyed being members of their local churches no matter where their destinations took them. Stephen could always be found at one of his children or grandchildren's ballgames, musical performances, school or military programs, or anywhere his family needed him. Baseball was a true love of his childhood and he passed his passion for the game on to his children, where he coached years of ball and was always present on and off the field. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl Elmer Foster and Edith Marie Whitaker Foster; sister Shirley Foster Rose, brother Ernie Foster; niece Jenny Rebecca Foster, father-in-law Kenneth Justin Bryant; mother-in-law Fabris Bryant; and brother-in-law Jeff Bryant and sister-in-law Karen Bryant. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Deborah Bryant Foster, daughter Tammi Bates (Timothy Bates), son Stephen Foster Jr. (Cori Cizek), daughter Stephanie Eitheim (John Eitrheim), Jeffry Russell (Michelle Smith), and son Phillip Foster (Crystal Holiday), first wife and friend, Aleene Moore; grandchildren Casey Foster, Lauren Foster, Joey Bates, Grace Eitheim, Hailey Foster, Elizabeth Foster, Colton Foster; Kirstin Bates, Grant Bates, Elena Eitheim and Brandon Eitheim. Brothers Larry Foster, Mark Foster and sister Teri Foster Palmer, along with countless more family and friends. A memorial service washeld on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11 a.m., at Pathway Church, 1116 Brown Street, Waxahachie, Texas.