Lester A. Foss

Lester A. Foss, 90, passed away at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center on June 4, 2026. He was born February 16, 1936 in Elma, Washington to Lester A. and Lillian (LaBrec) Foss. The family moved to Montesano, Washington in 1950, and Les graduated from Montesano High School in 1953.

He delivered newspapers and worked as a janitor at the courthouse before going to work at the service station at Whitney’s in Montesano in 1951. He began selling cars at Whitney’s in 1956, was promoted to sales manager in 1968, and became a partner in the business in 1981. In 1996, he sold his half of Whitney’s to his partner and retired.

Les married Ruth Smith on August 20, 1956, and they raised their three children in Montesano. In 2021, they moved to Channel Point Village in Hoquiam, where they spent their time with many good friends.

He was an avid car enthusiast, and he and Ruth traveled through most of the U.S. in their modified vintage cars, researching family genealogy and American history. He was a member of several vintage car clubs as well as the Chehalis Valley Historical Society and the Montesano Methodist Church, and was a life member of the Aberdeen Elks Lodge.

Les is survived by his wife of nearly 70 years, Ruth; their children, Debra (Donovan) Harders of Hoquiam, David (Pamela) Foss of Montesano, and Brenda Millich of Montesano; seven granddaughters and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Janice) Foss of Montesano. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leigh “Terry” Foss, Lanny Foss, and LeRoy Foss; and his sister, Lin LaTrajet.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, June 16, at 1:30 p.m. at the Aberdeen Elks Lodge. Memorials to the building fund of either the Aberdeen Elks Lodge or the Montesano Methodist Church are suggested.