Mike Foster, Former Louisiana Governor, Dies at 90

A former two-term governor of Louisiana, Murphy Mike Foster, died on Sunday. He was 90 years old.

Mike Foster, who was an American businessman, politician and has served as the 53rd governor of Louisiana from January 1996 to January 2004, died last week after he entered into hospice care due to difficulties with old age.

According to a statement from Gov. John Bel Edwards, he said “A veteran, a businessman and a sportsman, Gov. Mike Foster was a true Louisianan who served his country, his state and his community with honor throughout his life. As governor, one of his most lasting legacies is in education, especially his support for the creation of the TOPS program, which, more than 20 years later, still helps thousands of Louisiana students attend colleges and universities and achieve their goals.”

Gov. Edwards also said that Mike Foster “worked hard to protect and restore Louisiana’s coastline and moved to dedicate federal funding to this purpose, so that future Louisianans could enjoy the Sportsman’s Paradise he so loved.”

“Donna and I are praying for Gov. Foster’s family, and especially his wife Alice, during this difficult time and hope the people of our state will join their prayers to ours. I have ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-staff in honor of his memory,” Gov Edward said.

Mike Foster was a former senator; he represented Terrebonne Parish for eight years. 

He was born in Shreveport, Mike Foster graduated from Louisiana State University in 1952 with a degree in chemical engineering before joining the Air Force and serving in the Korean War, according to his biography on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.

Mike Foster considered a career in politics because a politician refused to return his phone calls; he became frustrated with the state government’s actions and non-responsiveness and thought he could do the job better.

He served as State Senator before he ran for the governorship election; Mike Foster was sworn in as the governor of Louisiana in January of 1996.