Larry Alton Foster, age 80, of Cartersville, Georgia, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. He was born on June 16, 1946, in Carrollton, Georgia, the son of the late Levi Alton Foster and Georgia Shadinger Foster.

Larry enjoyed a fun, storybook childhood in Carrollton surrounded by friends and cousins and loyal companion Lobo, his German Shepherd. He was forever appreciative of his loving parents, Georgia and Alton. He attended Carrollton High School, just a short walk from where he grew up on Oak Avenue.

Later, Larry attended both the University of Georgia and West Georgia College, where he met his future wife, the beautiful Carol Ann Kingdon. They were soon married on June 8, 1968.

After a few years in Jonesboro and metro Atlanta, the young couple would eventually settle down in Rome, raising two children, Kristen and Brian.

Larry was a kind, generous, and humorous father, who encouraged his children in their various pursuits. Whether or not any particular one stuck did not matter, as long as the kids enjoyed themselves. The family spent summers at the nearby pool, attended various sports, and made trips to both the beach and mountains.

Larry enjoyed a long career in Rome as a manager in the manufacturing industry, mostly with Lester Industries/Lester Precision Die Casting. He enjoyed his years at Lester, making numerous friends along the way.

Larry was a lifelong fan of Carrollton High School sports, where he had played both tennis and football. Rome High School could also claim Larry amongst its biggest fans, at least when Kristen and Brian were in attendance. In his later years, he donned the purple and gold of longtime Carrollton-rival Cartersville High School, where his grandchildren currently study and compete. However, his family knows that his heart has always belonged to the Trojans of Carrollton.

No team played a larger role in Larry's life than that of the Georgia Bulldogs, especially the football and tennis programs. He was a former president of the Rome Area Bulldog Club, a season football ticket holder for decades, and a frequent attendee of Georgia tennis matches. Larry spent hundreds of Saturdays in the stands of Sanford Stadium (and in those of lesser-than schools) cheering for his beloved Dawgs. Most of those games he spent alongside his family, especially Brian, and he would rally with friends beneath the North End bleachers at halftime to discuss Xs and Os and share "expert" opinions. His faith in the red and black never wavered, even during their off years, proving he was no fair-weather fan Between The Hedges. He was fortunate enough to have relished in the recent success of Kirby Smart's Junkyard Dawgs.

Larry's distinct voice could often be heard from the stands of all-levels of sporting events, always in support of his children or other competitors. However, referees, officials, and umpires can sleep well knowing that Larry will no longer be holding them accountable for any bad calls and poor judgement.

His other interests resided far away from the gridiron, as Larry was a huge fan of the works of Jane Austen, particularly Pride and Prejudice . He regularly viewed the 1995 television adaptation by A&E, and would let anyone know that it was the superior version. He enjoyed Agatha Chrisite's Pirot and other British mysteries, as well as Perry Mason , having memorized nearly every episode. He passed along his love of the film North By Northwest to his son Brian. Both considered it to be the greatest film ever made.

Larry was firm in his faith and belief in Jesus. He grew up attending Oak Grove Baptist Church with his family. In recent years, he spoke often about his salvation and looked forward to being with the Lord in heaven.

Friends and family will miss Larry's laugh, wit and warm embrace. He was loved by all (aside from a few referees) and his absence will be felt by many. His memory, however, will remain with all who knew him.

Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Levi Alton Foster and Georgia Shadinger Foster of Carrollton, and his brother, Jimmy Stephen Foster of Kennesaw.

Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol Kingdon Foster, and his two children, Kristen Foster Bishop (Andrew Bishop) of Cartersville and Brian Foster (Madeline Edwards) of Decatur.

Larry is also survived by his five loving grandchildren, Kate Bishop, Will Bishop, Molly Bishop, George Bishop, and Julia Bishop, all of Cartersville.

A graveside service will be held at Carroll Memory Gardens on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com . Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Foster family.

In lieu of flowers, the Foster and Bishop families kindly request any charitable donations be made in Larry Foster's honor to the Carrollton City Schools Education Foundation at www.carrolltoncityschools.net/community/foundation