Individual Details

Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Texas, November 3, 2006: Port Arthur - Kent Simpson Foster, 62, of Port Arthur passed away on Monday, October 30, 2006, in Houston, Texas. Kent was born on August 21, 1944, in Port Arthur, Texas to Vera Claudine Foster and Halsey Burton Foster. He was a very intelligent young man and had many interests during his childhood, such as being an Eagle Scout. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1962, attended the University Southern Mississippi and was a member of A.T.O. Fraternity where he once served as president. After graduating with an accounting degree, Kent went to Baylor University. In 1968, he graduated Baylor with a J. D., the same year his daughter Kenlyn was born. He practiced law in Port Arthur during which time his son, Clay, was born. Kent's thirst for knowledge never ended as he attended many schools such as Pepperdine University, Georgetown University and most recently, Tufts in Boston, Massachusetts. He was also known as an entrepreneur, owning several radio stations and telecommunications companies throughout the United States. Kent was appointed to many dignitary positions over the years; during the Reagan Administration he served as President of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and he was named the first Trade Ombudsman in the U.S. Customs Service in 1991 during the Bush administration. Kent had many passions in life such as horses which he owned and raced; jazz, gospel and blue grass music and sailing his yacht. He loved to travel all over the world, especially to the Cayman Islands where he held dual citizenship. He was a connoisseur of wines and traveled to the Napa Wine Auction on a yearly basis; he collected stamps, automobiles, art and also boots. Kent was thoughtful, caring and always put others first. He will be missed dearly but will be remembered always. Services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Grammier - Oberle Funeral Home in Port Arthur with Rev. Chuck Huffman of the United Methodist Temple officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Groves. A gathering of friends and family will take place from 5:00 P.M. until 9:00 P.M. Friday, November 3, 2006, at the funeral home. Kent was survived by his daughter, Kenlyn Foster- Spence of Walland, Tennessee; son, Clay Foster and fiancée Merritt Wright of Dublin, California; sister, Sue Foster of Port Arthur; her children Andrew Foster, who took care of his uncle during his final days, Chris Foster and Leighanne Crouch; grandchildren, Kelson Spence and Campbell Spence and one grandchild, who will be named Riley, on the way.
In lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 4, Port Neches, TX 77651 or the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center at P. O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486. For those unable to attend the services "Tributes" can be sent to the family at www.mem.com.

Birth	21 Aug 1944	Port Arthur, Jefferson Co., Texas
Marriage	26 Aug 1967	Mary Lynn Gillespie
Death	30 Oct 2006	Houston, Harris Co., Texas
Alt name		Kent Foster
Burial		Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Groves, Jefferson Co., Texas

Spouse	Mary Lynn Gillespie ( - )
Child	Kenlyn Foster (1968 - )
Child	Clay Foster (1971 - )

Father	Halsey Burton Foster (1916 - 1981)
Mother	Vera Claudine Simpson (1913 - 2005)
Sibling	Linda Sue Foster (1948 - )