A. Foster

A.B. Foster, Jr., the longtime owner of Pecos Cantaloupe Co., died Sunday at his home in Pecos, at the age of 94.

Foster, who came to Pecos in the 1950s, will be buried on Wednesday, with services scheduled for 1 p.m. in Abilene.

Foster was born on April 24, 1921 in Pioneer, Texas, and grew up in Abilene, before graduating as valedictorian of Abilene High School in 1937.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1942-1946 and was based on Tinian Island, where the Enola Gay departed to bomb Japan.

After World War II, he attended Hardin Simmons University. He was a member of the 1946 football team, which was the only undefeated and united team in the southwest that year. He also lettered in basketball. He was inducted into the Hardin Simmons Sports Hall of Fame and remained actively involved as a Trustee of the University for many years.

Foster moved his family to Pecos in 1956 and worked for Western Cotton Oil for the next five years.

In 1964 he bought what is now known as Pecos Cantaloupe Company, and was involved in the fresh produce business his whole life. He primarily grew and packaged cantaloupe, onions and bell pepper. In 1979 he opened Foster Frozen Foods to process the same items. He was inducted into the Texas Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Hall of Fame. He also served as a Director of the First National Bank of Pecos.

Foster was involved in many civic activities, including serving as President of the Chamber of Commerce and the United Fund. He was a long-time supporter of the Loving-Reeves County Livestock Show and Sale, and a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon.

He is survived by Nelva Foster, his wife of 67 years, daughters Rebecca Yow of Fort Worth and Melanie Burkholder of Lubbock. He has seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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Cemetery