Alton Everett “Al” Foster

During the early morning of Saturday, February 9, 2013, in Nespelem, Washington, Alton Everett “Al” Foster, 89, took hold of his beloved Hazel’s hand and together they walked to their eternal home.

Al began this life’s journey in the Vancouver, BC, Canada, home of Robert Clayton and Edna Pearl (Chugg) Foster on August 13, 1923. Growing up in the Seattle, Washington, area, Al was a member of the Roman Catholic Church and served during World War II with the United States Army as a criminal investigator.

Al married Hazel Margaret Butler on November 9, 1960, and together they made their home on Manila Creek Road in Keller, Washington. A man of many talents who enjoyed a good day’s work, Al served the members of the Colville Confederated Tribes as a tribal policeman and EMS/paramedic; he also worked for AMAX as a maintenance supervisor, for Foster Woodchips, as an iron worker with Local 14 out of Spokane, Washington and most recently as a gaming agent at the Colville Tribal Casino. Al was a smart alec who loved a good joke and spending time together with Hazel in the out-of-doors rock-hounding, panning for gold, camping, boating, hunting and fishing. Al also enjoyed trap shooting, working with the ranch animals and an avid collector of all kinds of things, but his greatest love was spending time with his grandchildren! His grand-daughter said, “To me, Grandpa Al was like a dad to me, always young and strong.”

Al was predeceased by his beloved wife and soul mate of 52 years Hazel Foster on February 4, 2013, just five days prior to his own home-going; both of his parents; son Robert Alton Foster, brother Eugene Foster and sister Alethas Shields.

Al’s proud legacy lives on through his daughters: Vickie Foster and Jill Jackson; son Tom Jackson; grandchildren: LaZelda Marie Foster, Clarence Alton Robert Foster, Trent Jackson and Drew Jackson; two great-grandchildren Joel and Hugh; brother Lloyd Foster; sisters: Eunice Knaggs and Beth Maxwell and numerous nephews and nieces. His family would also like to recognize some others who were very dear to Al: Jack Madrill, Dr. Tom Osten, all of his friends at the Colville Tribal Police Department, the employees at the Tribal Casino, Kande Merriman, Sherry Monaghan, Vern Kheel, Angie Sutton, Todd Marchand, Margaret McQuen, Pat Waggoner, Lodean Kent, Brenda Nee, Tricia Aubertin, the Peasley Twins, Dusty Rose Aubertin, Billy Somday, Don Heldman, Andrea Picard and Sylvia Peasley.

At Al’s request, cremation has taken place. A memorial celebration of his life will take place at the Keller Community Center in Keller, Washington on Friday, February 15, 2013 at 1 p.m.

Al’s family requests that donations be made in his name to The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, 5705 Grant Creek, Missoula, MT 59808 (800) 225-5355 http://www.rmef.org

Strate Funeral home of Grand Coulee, Washington is honored to be caring for Al’s family. Please sign his online register book at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com.