YACHATS — Roy Edward Foss, known widely as co-owner of Yaquina Nursery on Yachats River Road, died Jan. 12. He was 86.
With him at his death in Newport were his wife, Gerry (Geraldine) and daughter, Julie.
Born in Toledo, Foss began the nursery business with his second wife, Love, at a site along Highway 20 in Newport. After her death, he re-connected with Gerry, a childhood friend from Montana, and the couple bought a 31-acre parcel off Yachats River Road and moved the nursery there in 2008. They had been married 41 years at the time of his death.
Interviewed in 2020 by YachatsNews, Foss said “I haven’t seen much bad side of people who come and buy plants — they’re better people, I think.”
The Foss’s sold the nursery, which specializes in cacti and succulents, in late 2021. The new owners are Renee Taylor and Chris Valentin, formerly of Eugene. The couple plans to continue running the business on a retail and wholesale basis, as the Fosses did.
Foss was a Mason of Oregon for over 50 years. He was also a member of the Eagles and Elks in Newport for over 50 years. He was preceded in death by his second wife, Love Foss, son Rocky, two granddaughters and a grandson, his brother, Jack, and his parents.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 25, at Batemans Funeral Home in Newport with a graveside service at Eureka Cemetery following the funeral.
