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. on 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 1961 graduate of Comanche of 1961 and married Mary Louse (Martin) Foster, class of ’62, 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 VP Operations with Speller Oil at time of retirement. Through many of those years, he ran a hay-bailing business around Kingfisher County before purchasing his 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 his 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, OK; three grandsons, Lewis Foster Nighswonger and wife, Morgan (Woodruff ) Nighswonger of Alva, Henry Wade Nighswonger of Alva, OK, Ryan Paul Ellington and wife Elyse Kusakabe Ellington of Louisburg, N.C.; and two great-grandchildren Hawkins Foster Nighswonger and Ramona Ruth Nighswonger of Alva; Brother Retired Army Lt. Colonel Guy Foster & wife, Susan Juanita (Fox) Foster of Enid. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents Virgil (April 12, 1998) and Estelle (Oct. 3, 2011) Foster, and brother Virgil Keith (Sonny) Foster (Dec. 27, 1960).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alva First Baptist Church Falls Creek Camp scholarship fund.

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