Industry leader Walter Foxworth dies
Walter Foxworth, the former owner of Texas-based Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Company and widely respected lumber dealer and industry advocate, died Aug. 2.
Foxworth is a past chairman of the National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association and a recent Lifetime Achievement Award honoree from the Lumber Association of Texas.
He was 89.
“Walter was a treasure—he was our friend, our colleague and torchbearer for generations of LAT members,” reads a statement from the LAT. “This is an extraordinary loss and we will miss him, his passion for this industry and his advocacy on behalf of all of us.”
In a 2023 article, Foxworth described his involvement with the LAT:
“I started my career in 1959, and attended my first LAT Convention,” said Foxworth. “I have found that engaging and investing in the LAT mission is critical for each of our individual businesses and our industry. The friendships I made along the way have been some of the most meaningful of my life. As I look back at my over 60 years of involvement, I am committed to supporting the next generation and to giving back to an organization that I am so proud to belong to.”
Foxworth and Foxworth-Galbraith received numerous industry awards and accolades. He served as president of LAT’s Board of Directors in 1990, was recognized as “Dealer of the Year” in 1993, and has over six decades of volunteer engagement. Under Walter’s leadership, Foxworth-Galbraith was the 2000 HBSDealer ProDealer of the Year. He also was recognized as inaugural Texas Unity Dinner honoree.
During the 2016 ProDealer Industry Summit, Foxworth received recognition for his contributions to the industry and to the community, including his support of the Taos Day School in New Mexico.
Tributes from around industry emphasized Foxworth's contributions.
“Walter was a true industry icon, and this is truly a great loss to many.” said Jonathan Paine, NLBMDA President & CEO. ”I will personally miss Walter for his friendship, generosity, wisdom, and incredible passion for doing everything in his power to advocate on behalf of NLBMDA and the entire industry."
Tony Misura of the Misura Group shared the following: ”Walter played a crucial role in advocating for the LBM industry, He protected the industry's interests by standing up against overreaching lawmakers and fostered a sense of community and collaboration among the leaders. His efforts had a significant impact, ensuring the voices of LBM industry stakeholders were heard in legislative discussions.”
Foxworth was Chairman-emeritus at Foxworth-Galbraith until his retirement in 2022, the same year when US LBM acquired the 30-location prodealer.
U.S. LBM President and CEO L.T. Gibson saluted Foxworth's many contributions: "Walter was an extraordinary leader in the building materials industry, a passionate businessman and advocate for our industry for more than 60 years, even continuing that advocacy work after he retired from Foxworth-Galbraith in 2022,” said Gibson. “Walter will be deeply missed, and our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to all his family and friends.”
