Foster AllenTaylor

Aug 26, 1945 — Oct 1, 2026

FosterAllen Taylor, age 81, passed away peacefully in New Port Richey, Florida on Thursday, October 1, 2026. He was born August 26, 1945, in Houston, Texas to the late Joseph Columbus Taylor Jr. and the late Florence Virginia Foster. 

He is survived by his children, Foster Alexander Taylor, Barrett Allen Taylor, Blake Scott Taylor, Elliott Warren Taylor, and Caroline Elizabeth Taylor; sisters, Kay Willoughby and Joanne Wyble; and grandchildren, Teddi and Nolan Ruff.

Foster began his career in banking. He loved to tell how his boss, when offering him the job, said he "would not make a lot but could borrow as much as he wanted." He took that to heart and soon put those borrowings into real estate in Houston's Montrose neighborhood. Next he opened his first concert venue, the Texas Opry House, a Houston favorite in the late 1970s that hosted acts including The Police, Talking Heads, and Jerry Lee Lewis. After that, he opened Cody's, a jazz bar and grill. Later he moved into finance. When macular degeneration led him to retire early, he made the most of it by living in Costa Rica from 2005 to 2011, where he had some of his best times with his beloved dog, Susu.

Foster always savored a great meal and a great action or Old West movie, loved telling stories from his days as the "Duke of Montrose," and never took himself too seriously. He  will be remembered for his generosity, his kind heart, his humor, and the love he gave to those closest to him.

Late in life, Foster was asked whether he still felt his late father was watching over him. He said he did, because he could still hear the things his father used to say. We know Dad is still watching over us, because we can still hear him too. When someone asked how he was doing, he'd say, "If I was doing any better, I'd have to pay an amusement tax." He was always telling his kids to "slow down." And whenever one of us said "Dad," he'd answer, "That's my name, don't wear it out."

He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Foster may consider a donation to BrightFocus Foundation's Macular Degeneration Research program at donate.brightfocus.org/mdr/donate.

The family is planning a private ceremony to celebrate Foster's life.