Stephen (Steve) Bruce Foster of Aventura, Fla. passed away Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at the Florida Aventura Hospital.
Steve was born on July 7, 1953 in Fulton to the late Wilbur Garrett Foster and the late Dorthy Marie (Russell) Foster.
Steve was united in marriage to Nelly Lozano Salazar Foster on April 2, 2017.
Originally from Auxvasse, Steve graduated from North Callaway High School in 1971. He attended Westminster College in Fulton. Steve and his first wife Diann (Quick) were blessed with two sons, Harrison Stephen Dane Foster and Hunter William Anthony Foster.
Steve and his brother Jay co-founded Foster Brothers Wood Products, Inc. in 1976. After spending more than two decades growing their business in Auxvasse, Steve and Jay partnered again, purchasing Missouri Fibre Corporation in Scott City in 2003. Steve had a bright mind and an aptitude for finding new market opportunities, which spurred the success of both companies.
In 2017, Steve moved to Florida to enjoy the warm weather and “partial” retirement with his wife Nelly and stepson Bryan. They enjoyed hosting friends and family to their home and traveling to Peru to visit family.
Steve was very passionate about his hobbies, which included arrowhead hunting, deep sea fishing, reading, collecting military rifles, and traveling. As a young man, Steve traveled much of the world, working his passage from the Port of Houston, Texas to Hong Kong on a freighter with his friend, George. It took more than a month to make the trip across the Pacific. He traveled to places like Australia, Nepal, the Philippines, India and the Middle East. In all, Steve traveled to over 30 countries and gathered a lot of stories along the way. However, of all the places that he visited, he loved driving his tractor and walking the woods on his rural Callaway County farm the most.
Those that remain to cherish his memory are his wife, Nelly; stepson, Bryan Amaolo of Aventura; sisters, Lana Foster (Gina) of Atlanta, Ga., Lynn Wilson (Russell) of Auxvasse, Ashley Donnelly (Michael) of Oklahoma City, Okla.; brothers Jay Foster (Patty) of Auxvasse, and Stanley Foster (Barbara) of Auxvasse; nieces, Amanda Foster of Columbia, Christine Foster of Columbia; nephews, Travis Foster (Claire) of Columbia, Andrew Wilson of Auxvasse, Garrett Foster of Auxvasse, Ian Wilson of Columbia. He was preceded in death by grandparents, Jewell and Gladys (Condry) Russell, Wilbur and Justeen (Garrett) Foster; parents Wilbur “Bo” Foster and Dorothy Marie (Russell) Foster; sons, Harrison Foster and Hunter Foster; nephew, Justin Foster.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 am at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton, with Pastor Ron Hess officiating. A visitation will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Maupin Funeral Home in Fulton. Interment will be held at Auxvasse Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions can be made to Missouri Forest Products, c/o Maupin Funeral Home, 301 Douglas Blvd, Fulton, MO 65251.
Condolences can be left for the family at www.maupinfuneralhome.com
