Larry Wayne Foster
September 23, 1943 - February 21, 2026
Larry Wayne Foster, 82, an Ochelata native, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in Tulsa.
Larry was born on September 23, 1943, in Ochelata, Oklahoma, to Warden Francis and Bille Inez (Combs) Foster, the third of eight children. Larry attended school in Ochelata, excelling in baseball and basketball. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and in later years took great pleasure in his garden. After graduating from high school in 1961 he joined the Air Force.
Larry had various assignments stateside, including Oklahoma, North Carolina, Delaware and California, but his favorite times were the overseas tours. He was stationed in Okinawa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam and Korea. He served as a Medical Administration Supervisor. Larry was very proud of his military career and serving his country, and received several honors and awards including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Service Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Vietnam Service medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Larry retired from the Air Force in 1981 after 20 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the VFW. He was also very proud of his Cherokee heritage and spent several years working with the Washington County Cherokee Association. Larry served on the Board of Directors and was chairman of the Grant committee and the Cemetery committee. Larry spent many hours working to restore and maintain Cherokee cemeteries. In June of 2010 he was chosen to be honored by the Cherokee Nation for his military service.
While in Korea, he met and married his beloved wife, KilCha. They were able to enjoy more than 40 years together before his passing. After he retired from the Air Force, he worked in Korea for the U.S. government for several years before returning to the states. He settled back in Ochelata and worked as a rural mail carrier for ten years before retiring from that position. He was proud that he got five points on the US Postal exam.
Family was always very important to him. After retirement, Larry enjoyed helping KilCha babysit for various family members and other children. He was always willing to help his family and was a very generous man. He wasn't afraid to speak his mind and stand up for what he believed. He loved deeply and was loved by so many.
Larry is survived by his wife, KilCha, of the home; his daughter, Kay Waynette (Wardani) of Missouri; his stepdaughter, Sandy (Reiss) of San Diego; one brother, Richard; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews, including John Daniel and April, both of whom spent a lot of time with him during their childhoods, and gave much time and energy helping take care of him after he became ill.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Warden and Billie; his daughters, Wanda and Ilada; his siblings, Danny, Jerry, Francis, Linda, Kent and Louis.
Larry will be greatly missed by many.
Larry's family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026, at Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory, 4201 Nowata Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006, 918-333-7665. Come and go visitation will also be held from 10-8 p.m. Friday.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Ochelata Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Ochelata Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Carter Davis and Davis Family Funeral Home & Crematory - Walker Brown Chapel. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.DavisFamilyFuneralHome.com.
