Kenneth Paul Foust

Age 83, Ken passed away under Hospice care on December 7 with his wife, Joyce by his side. He endured a 9-year battle with Parkinson’s.  Ken was born on September 19, 1935 in Big Rapids, MI and was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Church.  He attended the First Church of the Nazarene in Jackson since 2002.  Ken graduated from Big Rapids High School in 1953 and then served two years in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Heilbronn and Garmisch Germany.  He then attended Ferris State College receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1960.  For many years Ken was an avid athlete.  His teaching/coaching career provided him the opportunity to positively impact many students and athletes.  He was head coach at Albion High School from 1968 to 1974 before joining the Albion College staff in 1975.  He was also AHS head tennis coach from 1966-1975, Albion College head tennis coach from 1976-82 and Albion High School girls track coach from 1983-85.  He was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976 and 1977 for MIAA Champion Football Team at Albion College.  In addition to teaching and coaching, he also served as an athletic director, driver’s training instructor, basketball official, and was inducted into the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1982 at U of M.  He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, woodworking and loved country music. Ken started his teaching/coaching career in Onekama, MI and also taught at Manistee and Albion from 1960 to 1996.  During this time, he earned his master’s degree from CMU in 1992.  He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Tri-State University, IN. He is survived by his wife, Joyce of 14 years and two children—Paul (Carla Tison) of Albion and Cara (Craig) Freed of NM, grandson Michael (Chelsae Burke) Foust, two great grandsons Jace and Gage all of Albion.  Also survived by four brothers—John (Barbara), Richard (Sharon), Frank (April), Don (Jane) and sisters Theresa Foust and Ann (Frank) Johnson.  Brother-in-law Arlin Karger (Kathy Grandlund) of MN, sisters-in-law Diane Foust, Sharon Foust and Jerilyn Dawson of MN and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by parents Willard and Anna Foust, son Jeffrey Foust and three brothers, Willard (Nedra), Charles and Roy Foust, one infant sister Barbara. According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. A celebration of his life will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at 11:00 am at the First Church of the Nazarene, 3905 Clinton Rd., Jackson, MI 49201. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Church of the Nazarene, 3905 Clinton Rd., Jackson, MI 49201 and Henry Ford Allegiance Hospice Home, 2150 Kingsbrooke Dr., Jackson, MI 49202. 

The family will receive friends at the First Church of the Nazarene from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am

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