Carlton Foster

Local Businessman & WWII Combat Veteran Carlton L. Foster died on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at his home in Grasonville, Maryland. Mr. Foster was born on July 24, 1921, one of twelve children of Charles and Eva Foster. Raised on Pioneer Point Farm where his father worked, he graduated from Centreville High School and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942. After completion of stateside training he was shipped to Guadalcanal where he became part of the Sixth Marine Division. He departed Guadalcanal in March of 1945 as part of the largest amphibious invasion force of the war, 183,000 US assault troops assembled for the invasion of the Japanese island of Okinawa. His 4th Marine Regiment of the Sixth Marines comprised the initial assault force for the primary landing beach. The invasion commenced on April Fools Day, April 1, 1945 and continued for 82 days. The 4th Marines were engaged in combat during the entire time, beginning with the beach landing through the Battle of Sugar Loaf Hill where the 4th Marines suffered 70% casualties. The Battle of Okinawa was one of the most costly battles in human terms during World War II. U.S. forces killed in action totaled 50,000. The Japanese lost 70,000 out of a defense force of 77,000, and approximately 120,000 civilians died. After discharge from the Marine Corps in March 1946, he returned to Queen Anne’s County and was married to Ruth Eaton on December 23, 1946 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Church Hill. He worked for the State of Maryland and began the part-time sale of real estate in the early 1950’s. In 1963 he established his own Real Estate Brokerage Firm, Carlton L. Foster, Inc. He subsequently constructed in excess of five hundred homes, primarily in the Kent Island and Grasonville area. In the 1970’s he teamed with friend and partner Thomas R. Ewing to purchase and re-develop Marling Farms, Chester River Beach and Long Point communities. In 1984 he sold the real estate brokerage business and together with his wife, Ruth, spent winters in Florida and summers at their home on Kent Island and later Grasonville. He continued to build homes during the summer months until 1997. He was a member of VFW Post 7464 and American Legion Post 278. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Eaton Foster, with whom he would have celebrated his 60th wedding anniversary on December 23rd. In addition to his wife Ruth, he is survived by his son, Michael R. Foster and daughter in law, Ellen B. Foster of Grasonville and two granddaughters, Morgan Elizabeth Foster and Claire Foster Avett and son in law, Reid Avett, all of Washington D.C. and a grand-nephew and fellow Marine, Jared Wall of Annapolis. He is also survived by three sisters, Jane Scoon of Centreville, Ruth Anna Prettyman of Easton, Marcie Hightower of Centreville and a brother Daniel Foster of Queen Anne. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein, and Newman Funeral Home in Chester, with Visitation with the family from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations may be made to Queen Anne’s County Hospice, Inc., 423 Thompson Creek Road, Stevensville, Maryland 21666.