Ronnie ‘Wayne’ Foster

Ronnie Wayne Foster, born July 24, 1943, passed peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024, in Alva after complications from congestive heart failure led to a short hospital stay.

A memorial service and interment will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Duncan Memorial Cemetery.

Wayne, as he was known, was born in Lamesa, Texas, the second son of Virgil and Estelle Foster who raised him in the Duncan area.

He was a graduate of Comanche High School in 1961 and married Mary Louse (Martin) Foster, class of 1962, his high school sweetheart, on April 20, 1962, in Burkburnett, Texas.

Wayne worked in the oil and gas industry after graduating from high school, serving in roles across Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Wyoming and Alabama from roustabout to pumper, then production superintendent for the state of Oklahoma with El Paso Exploration/Meridian Oil & Gas, to vice president of operations with Speller Oil at the time of his retirement.

Through many of those years, he ran a hay-baling business around Kingfisher County before purchasing his own piece of property to raise cattle in Garfield County.

Wayne loved his daughters and grandsons, taking an active interest in their participation in sports and music.

Raising his family in the Word was important to Wayne. Both he and Mary have been faithful members of multiple Baptist churches throughout his life in the areas they’ve resided and traveled during retirement.

An avid golfer, Wayne was a highly sought-after team member competing in tournaments hosted by organizations such as the Oilmen’s Association from early 20’s through retirement.

He enjoyed playing on his home course at Falconhead Resort & Golf Club and participating in the Oil Belt Senior Golf Association, most recently earning the 2023 80-plus champion trophy.

Wayne and Mary just completed a move to Alva to be closer to their youngest daughter’s family.

Wayne is survived by his two daughters, Rhonda (Foster) Ellington and husband Paul H. Ellington of Collin County, Texas, and April Daune (Foster) Nighswonger and husband Howard Gene Nighswonger of Alva; three grandsons, Lewis Foster Nighswonger and wife Morgan (Woodruff) of Alva, Henry Wade Nighswonger of Alva, Ryan Paul Ellington and wife Elyse (Kusakabe) of Louisburg, N.C.; two great-grandchildren, Hawkins Foster Nighswonger and Ramona Ruth Nighswonger of Alva; brother, Retired Army Lt. Colonel Guy Foster and wife Susan Juanita (Fox) of Enid.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents and brother Virgil Keith “Sonny” Foster.

The family asks to consider a donation to Alva First Baptist Church Falls Creek Camp scholarship fund in Wayne’s memory.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.marshallfuneralhomes. com.