Thomas "Tom" Erwin Foshee

Thomas “Tom” Erwin Foshee, 71, passed away Friday, January 26, 2019, at Willis-Knighton Bossier Hospital. Tom was a lifelong resident of Natchitoches and the son of T. J. and Billie Foshee.  Raised on Cane River, this was probably where his adventurous spirit and passion for invention were rooted.  With no siblings, Tom’s neighborhood friends became his brothers:  Robert Carroll, Jim Dixon, Billy Dowden, and Luther Lee.  Tom attended public schools in Natchitoches Parish and graduated from Natchitoches High School in 1965.  He furthered his education at Louisiana Tech and Northwestern State University.  In his extracurricular activities, he loved playing the role of the “clown” in rodeos, synchronized swimming events, and water skiing exhibitions, specifically with the Caddo Ski-Bees.  It offered him the most difficult roles and the challenge he craved mentally and physically.  Also, he retains the distinction of being the first barefoot skier in Cane River at age 16!  Tom married Kay Wardlow of Montgomery, Louisiana, and together they established the Foshee Ranch with their three sons.  The Foshee Ranch was ever-evolving due to Tom’s insatiable curiosity and love of the outdoors.  A cattleman, aquaculturist, crawfish farmer and equestrian, there was never any opportunity too daunting for Tom.  With book in hand, he was self-taught in all of his pursuits! An avid hunter, snow and water skier, horseman, and baseball coach, children were another of his passions.  His grandchildren offered a diversity of activities that presented new outlets of interest for Tom.  He loved attending the athletic events for his grandsons but exhibited the same enthusiasm for his granddaughter’s singing role in her school play to hours of lap sitting with his “baby girl” and the family cats and dog.  He was an ever-present “hands-on” dad and grandfather. Additionally, Tom “raised” many a boy on the Foshee Ranch teaching them how to hunt, ride horses, play baseball, and most importantly, turned boys into men.  He put integrity at the forefront of everything and always “said what he meant and did what he said”.  He was point blank, gritty, with a heart of gold and infinite compassion.  His authenticity allowed you at any age to trust whatever he thought regardless of the packaging.  Tom was the visual for the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.  He will be sadly missed but his stories will live on for generations to tell.  It will keep all amused and intrigued for decades to come.       In addition to Tom’s wife of 49 years, Tom is survived by his sons, Jeff Foshee, and wife, Melissa , Lafayette, Louisiana;   Scott Foshee,  Natchitoches, Louisiana, and four grandchildren, Quaid, Virginia, and Quinton Foshee, Lafayette, Louisiana;  Thea Foshee, Natchitoches, Louisiana; and several nieces and nephews. Tom is predeceased by his parents, and two sons, Landon Foshee and Blane Foshee. The visitation and service will be at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.  Visitation will be Tuesday, January 29, 2019, from 5-8 pm.  The funeral service will be Wednesday at 2:00 pm with burial to follow at Memory Lawn Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Chris Busby, Mark Busby, Jon Dalme, Quaid Foshee, Eddie Jordan, Tommy Tobin, Frank Elston, and Ernesto Montano.  Honorary pallbearers will be Douglas Dalme and Steve McCain, Sr.