James Chester Foster Jr.

FOSTER, JAMES CHESTER, JR. , 95, was born in Carrollton, TX Nov 5, 1921 and went to be with the Lord on April 9, 2017. He was known as “JC” to his friends and “Poppie” to his family. His beloved wife, Harriet M. Foster preceded JC in death in 2009. He is survived by his son, Walter Dale Foster, and his wife, Pam Foster; his daughter, Kay Lynn Broadie and her husband, Ken Broadie; his daughter, Kimberly Ann Arthur, and her husband, Bruce Arthur; his 7 cherished grandchildren – Lyle Foster Scovell, Campbell Foster, Allisen Broadie Prigel, Clint Broadie, Paige Arthur Lepak, Brooke Arthur Garduno and Kendall Arthur; and 11 adored great-grand children – John Field, Maren, and Campbell Scovell, Broadie, Barrett, and Foster Prigel, Brock and Ava Broadie, Olivia Lepak, Isaac Garduno, and Pryor Foster.

JC will be remembered for many reasons and missed by many people, but his story-telling will be something remembered and missed most. As an only child growing up on a farm in Carrollton, Tx, JC was forced to grow up fast and had many responsibilities. His father lied about his age to the local sheriff so JC could get a license at age 14, to legally help his dad on the farm and drive into town. One of his favorite farm stories to tell was when the Billy-goats got into his dad’s Model T, knocked the brake off, causing the Model T to roll into the pond. His dad was furious to learn of his Model T in the water! We always wondered if he made up the part about the Billy-goats so he wouldn’t get in trouble with his dad. As a mischievous teenager, he would let the air out of the tires on his dad’s car and then drive it onto the railroad tracks with his friends. They never got caught. He graduated from Carrollton High School in 1939.

JC met Harriet in 1941 while he worked at the local A&P grocery. He and Harriet married on January 16, 1942. JC joined the Air Force April 7, 1942 and was stationed at Carswell AFB in Ft. Worth, then at Randolph Field in San Antonio. He flew many hours on B-24 and B-32 aircraft as a Flight Engineer. He had orders to go to the Pacific toward the end of the war, but was discharged December 1945 after WWII ended. JC enrolled on the GI bill at SMU and received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in December 1949. Chance Vought Aircraft in Grand Prairie, where he worked until his early retirement at age 55, immediately hired him.

During their years in Carrollton and Farmers Branch raising their 3 kids, JC and Harriet made many wonderful memories together: weekend boating trips and camp outs on the shores of Lake Dallas with family and friends, golfing (the last swing of his golfing career was a hole-in-one the day before his grand-daughter, Lyle, got married!), water skiing, snow skiing, and square dancing. JC was a master cabinet and furniture maker, refinished golf clubs for everyone in Horseshoe Bay, hunted, and fished. He loved tending to his garden of tomato plants, bougainvillea climbing flower vines, and his favorite flower, the zinnia. He was the Dallas Cowboys #1 fan, never missing a game! He loved his Cowboys. He was also a huge Longhorn football fan and a Texas Rangers fan. He even went to 2 Rangers World Series games. JC lived life to the fullest! The man never sat still! We remember him best in his “workshop”, where he was most happy. He had a workshop in every house we lived in. JC also served his community by sitting on the board of the Farmers Branch Planning and Zoning Commission for many, many years. The Historic Old Frankford Church and Cemetery Association was his passion, making sure the grounds were meticulously cared for, as well as serving on the Frankford Cemetery Association Board of Directors for many years. All of the Foster ancestors are buried at this historic site. His tireless service to his community and church were just another example of the exemplary life he led.

JC lived his faith in Jesus Christ daily, always showing love and most importantly, grace and forgiveness. JC and Harriet were very involved in the First Methodist Church of Carrollton while raising their family and frequently entertained church groups at their house in Brookhaven. JC was a well-known real estate broker with Ebby Halliday in Carrollton after retirement from LTV Aerospace (formerly Chance Vought) at age 55. He sold farm and ranchland in Denton, Grayson and Cook counties. He quickly became the go-to person to buy or sell farm and ranchland in the Pilot Point and Aubrey areas of Denton County. Harriet and JC finally retired for good in 1986 to Horseshoe Bay, Texas, where they enjoyed golfing and entertaining friends. He and Harriet also enjoyed traveling frequently to see the sights around the United States. JC was loved by all he met, becoming fast friends with his Horseshoe Bay neighbors. His love for helping others kept him busy fixing everything broken at everyone’s house, much to Harriet’s chagrin at times! His friends had him on speed dial! JC was and will always be so loved by his family! JC loved to read, and spent many hours in his last years reading all kinds of books. His favorite authors were Larry McMurtry and John Grisham. His grands and great-grands were the highlight of his life. One of the highlights of his year was the Foster Family Christmas gathering to enjoy presents, games and family fun! We will all deeply miss you, “Dad”, “Poppie”, “JC”, “Wilt”, “Ace”, but are comforted knowing someday we will see you again beyond the pearly gates. The world lost one of its best, but Heaven’s bells rang out loudly upon his arrival!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Frankford Preservation Foundation. 5600 West Lovers Lane Suite 116 Box 132 Dallas, TX 75209. http://frankfordcemetery.org/.