Raymond Foster

SUN CITY, Ariz. — Raymond Sennett Foster, 82, beloved father, brother, grandfather and friend, died suddenly on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at his home in Sun City, Ariz. He was born June 28, 1937, in Aledo, the son of Charles and Ann Foster.

Ray spent his youth in Aledo. His love of music and interest in pharmacy developed as a teen. After graduating from Aledo High School in 1955, he attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa, where he met the love of his life and best friend, Patricia A. McMahon of Pocahontas, Iowa. In 1959, they married and soon were settled in Aledo where Ray worked as a pharmacist at Stuts Drug Store. It was in Aledo that their three daughters and one son were born.

The family moved to Princeton in 1966. Ray worked as a pharmacist in Princeton, at both Fawcett’s Pharmacy and Perry Memorial Hospital. During this time, he became an avid golfer, riding a bike to the golf course before work with golf clubs strapped to his back. As talented musician, he played clarinet and saxophone in his own band, The Ray Foster Orchestra (Princeton’s Guy Lombardo), and then performed with the Johnnie Kaye Orchestra for over 20 years.

Ray and Pat relocated to Sun City, Ariz., in 1994, where he played golf and worked in the pharmacy at Banner Boswell Hospital until 2010. He continued to indulge his passion for music by performing with various local musical groups, including the Rhythm Ramblers, Encores, All Stars, Mellow Winds, Cactus Clarinets, Saguaro Saxes, Sun City Concert Band, Music Makers, The Wolfe Pack, Sun City Pops Band and others. He even played the national anthem at Diamondbacks’ MLB games with the Golden Saxes Trio.

Over the years, Ray and Pat had many adventures together. They traveled through the U.S., including Hawaii and Alaska, visited Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Panama, Mexico, many Caribbean countries and drove their RV across Canada.

Ray is survived by his four children, Rae Foster and Julie Foster of Moline, Paul Foster of Phoenix, Ariz., and Carol Foster (David Flory) of Goodyear, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Megan Foster, Nicole (Joshua) Sides and Zavier Foster; as well as two great-grandchildren, Ayla Sides and Amara Foster. He is also survived by one sister, Kay (Foster) Chapman of Glendale, Ariz.

Preceding him in death was his wife, Pat; his mother and father, Ann (Anderson) and Charles Foster; a sister, Sue (Foster) Stewart; his father- and mother-in-law, Thomas McMahon and Mary (Kent) McMahon; a brother-in-law, Gene Rosacker; a brother-in-law, Mike Stewart; and nephew, Tanner Pals.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at Sunland Memorial Park. His ashes will be laid to rest with a memorial service in Iowa at a later date.

Arrangements were provided by Sunland Memorial Park & Mortuary. Online condolences can be left on Dignity Memorial at www.dignitymemorial.com.