Marvin Franklin Foster, Jr., 80, of Cherokee, Texas, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2008 at his residence in Cherokee. Born June 20, 1928 in Dallas, Texas, he was the son of Marvin Franklin Foster, Sr. and Flora Lee Boone. Marvin was raised most of his life in Cherokee until 1944.

In 1945, Marvin graduated from John Reagan High School in Houston, Texas. He attended the University of Houston from 1948-1951; and the University of Texas, where he received his BBA in 1952 and his LLB in 1954. In 1948, Marvin married Patricia Prince; they had three children. On December 11, 1959, he and Patricia were married again in Mexico. They had three more children and raised all six.

Marvin worked for M.J. Flahive, Attorney, in claims service during 1952-1954. Marvin was associated in private practice with Victor Rogers and David McAngus in Austin from 1954-1955. In 1956, he was employed as a trial attorney for Trotter & Morris in Houston. From 1957-1960, he had an associate private practice with Bill Scott, Jr. in Houston. From 1960-1970, Marvin had a private practice in Corpus Christi and had a private practice in Duval County from 1970-1976. During 1977-1984, he had a business and some private practice in San Antonio. Marvin did some ranching and private practice in Cherokee 1985-1987. He then served as an Enforcement Attorney in the State Comptroller's office. Marvin had a private practice in Cherokee from 1991- until his death.

In 2004, along with other tenured attorneys, Marvin was asked to write his most memorable experiences in his 50 years of law practice. These experiences were to be presented to the Bar during the convention's luncheon in honor of those serving for 50 years.

Marvin's philosophy in life was this: “Two trails diverged in the woods, and I took the one less traveled, and that has made all the difference.” Marvin began the seemingly hopeless task of recording incidents he had personally witnessed, as well as stories he had heard. Patricia often advised him, "If you don’t write them down, they will be gone forever. If no one else wants to read them, your family might not be able to understand what made your life so unusual, interesting and fun to share."

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Foster, of Cherokee; three sons: Mark Foster and his companion, Elizabeth Keel, of Brady; Tony Foster and his wife, Gail, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and James Foster of San Angelo, Texas; two daughters: Sharon Kirkpatrick of Houston; and Rory Foster Garcia of North Carolina, and son-in-law, Rudy Garcia of Austin; six grandchildren: Teri Lee Nestor; Dallas Kirkpatrick and his wife, Stephanie; Korri Elizabeth Foster, Kellie Nicole Foster and Kristen Marie Foster; Brit Garcia and Colton Garcia; numerous great-grandchildren; one brother, John Foster and his wife, Nina, of Florida; two sisters: Sherry and Linda Foster, both of Houston; many cousins; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Dawn Foster Whorley; and one grandchild, Stephen Harris.

Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Gray Cemetery in Cherokee with Rev. Thomas Bowden officiating.

Family requests that memorials be made to the Gray Cemetery or to the Cherokee Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral services were under the direction of the Howell-Doran Funeral Home in San Saba, TX.