Gary Foster:
CLASS OF 1965
Enka High SchoolClass of 1965
Enka, NC
Gary's Story
Gary is from Asheville, North Carolina. Gary's schools include Enka High School. Gary works(ed) at Asheville Police Department, Usmc, Gary Foster Auto Sales.
Gary's interests include Basketball, DIY, Sports.
More about Gary:"I'm a 64 year old male who has retired 3 separate times, and I now have time to enjoy life. I love outdoor activities of practically any type....work or play.
I graduated from Enka High School in 1965, and headed off to North Carolina State University in Raleigh the following fall. After a couple of years at State, I joined the Marine Corps and left school..
Of course, during those years, Vietnam was in the future of practically any young marine, and that was the case with me. I spent 13 months as an infantryman in South Vietnam, and upon returning, I was selected for Drill Instructor's School at Parris Island, SC. I was assigned to 3rd Battalion. Hotel Company as a DI and trained 29 platoons of Marine recruits while assigned to the Island. Quite a place back then.
My enlistment was over after 4 years, and I returned to civilian life in 1971. I found work with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Department soon after getting out of the Marine Corps, and I began a law enforcement career which lasted more than 20 years.
I worked as a patrol deputy for about 2 years, and then went to the Asheville Police Department as a patrol officer. I retired from APD in May, 1992 as a Captain and served in numerous capacities throughout the department during my career.
I began as a patrol officer, and began to move up the chain of command in a few years. Patrol Sergeant, and Patrol Lt. (Squad Commander) were my next 2 assignments. I also served as the department's communications supervisor as a Sgt.for awhile, commanding a patrol squad for several years, I was pulled off the line and challenged with directing a research group
that spent 6 months developing an entirely new method of approaching practically every department operation and activity. It was called DPR or Differential Police Response, and some ...Expand for more
of the recommendations are still implemented today.
When my task force completed our project, I was transferred to the Internal Affairs Division, where I remained for the next 6 to 7 years. I worked out of the chief's office during that assignment, and was promoted to the rank of captain after about 1 year in IA. Having graduated from polygraph school while I was a Sgt. a few years earlier, I also ran polygraph examinations for the department for about 12 years. Finally, I worked as the department's public information officer for a period of time...also, as a sergeant
After retiring in May, 1992, I owned and operated a sports card and memorabilia store for over a year when another dealer bought me out and I moved to another career....retail auto sales.
I worked for a number of area auto dealerships for the next 8 to 10 years, before opening my own retail locations. Accomplishing some success in this business, I remained a dealer for about 5 years and retired for a second time, but after only a few months of inactivity, I found myself needing to go back to work. I reached out to a former dealer/employer and returned to retail sales until January 2008, when I gave it up once and for all.... For many years I have loved antiques
...furniture, smalls, paintings, and pretty much anything else that's old and scarce (like me). I became heavily involved in the antique/estate auction business in the mid-90's, and ran successful booths at area antique malls for many years. This interest permitted me to travel considerably, which gave me a lot of enjoyment. For the past couple of years, I've mostly become inactive with the buying and selling aspect of it, but I still enjoy attending the auctions and estate sales.
Finally, I returned to school and completed my education at WCU during my early years at APD when I was a Sgt.
I have a son, Brad, who lives in Brevard, and I have 4 grandchildren that I love more than anything. If you don't have any grandchildren, you'd better get some, 'cause you're really missing something.".
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