Foster Hatfield

Our beloved Foster Hatfield, age 80, of Delaware, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 15, 2024. Foster was born on April 22, 1944, to Edwin Morrow Hatfield and Mabel ‘Embie’ Hayes in Roanoke, Virginia, and raised in Logan County, West Virginia. Foster was the fourth of five children.

His name was unique and adorned, representing “keeper of the forest,” perfectly reflecting his individuality throughout his life. When people asked for his name, they often responded with, “No, I mean your first name,” or repeated it with a higher inflection, as if questioning whether they were mistaken. Though a common surname, he was second to his beloved uncle, whom he admired and cherished. No middle name was given. As Embie once said, “It’s hard enough finding one good name, let alone two.”

Foster frequently spoke affectionately about his beloved mother, grandmother Amey Elswick, and Aunt Bess Klele. He cherished the memories of his grandmother, admiring her perseverance and strength as she became the matriarch of the family during the Great Depression, raising six children on her own. He also recalled that his aunt and uncle owned the famous Smokehouse restaurant, which John F. Kennedy visited during his campaign.

When Foster reached adolescence, his father sought better opportunities and moved the family to Columbus, Ohio. Foster described his mother as resembling Granny from “The Beverly Hillbillies” - she was deeply unhappy with the move, and he shared her reluctance. He often recalled the experience by saying, “You can take the boy out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the boy.” He reminisced about his train-hopping adventures and how the mountains were his oasis, a place of refuge and peace. He loved West Virginia, and the Blue Ridge Mountains felt like home and returned as often as possible.

He shared his love of the great outdoors with his family taking them on many adventures, leading trips to parks, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping. Road trips started with the customary singing of “On the Road Again.” He deeply appreciated how the outdoors brings stillness, curiosity, patience, joy, and respect.

Foster was seasoned by hardship and had weathered many storms, all while coming from humble beginnings. Despite facing numerous challenges, he persevered with unwavering determination. His integrity and strong moral principles guided him, shaping his convictions and inspiring countless selfless sacrifices. Prioritizing the happiness of others, especially his family, above his own personal gain.

Foster retired from Consolidated Freightways, earning a Million Mile Safe Driving Award. He shared a story of his time over the road when a car in front of him stopped suddenly on the freeway. “I had only two choices,” he said, “hit the car and kill the people inside, or drive into the ditch and risk killing myself.” He selflessly chose the latter, driving the rig into the ditch without rolling it over, and managed to get back on the road. He continued to work after retirement, teaching at a driving school, where he shared his expertise and wisdom with new drivers. Later, he bootstrapped many small businesses, as building a business from the ground up was exciting.

Foster’s great intellectual curiosity and sharp mind led him to become an avid reader, fueled by a deep passion for learning. He had a love for a wide range of topics, including history, common law, politics, aviation, personal development, and astrophysics. He enjoyed engaging in lively political debates, problem-solving discussions, visionary and entrepreneurial conversations, and any current issue.

His family meant everything to him and his most prized possession. He met the love of his life, Barbara Ragan, and said, “he was going to marry that girl,” and treasured her 48 short years. Their marriage was an inspiration for something written in the stars forever. He prioritized his four children, constantly nurturing and supporting them to achieve greater than they themselves thought possible. Transferring his dedication, determination, hard work, and bravery onto them. His warmhearted and softer center became more evident when he became a very proud grandfather. Always up for an adventure with them, sightseeing, taking trips, and recently learning to play the guitar alongside them.

His greatest achievements will be the unconditional gestures and love, both small, big, and in great magnitude, for all of us to collect, celebrate, and carry forward forever. We are incredibly lucky and proud to call this loyal and loving man our husband, brother, father, papaw, and friend.

Foster is survived by his wife, Barbara (Ragan) Hatfield, four children, Edwin Hatfield (Leeann), Donna Powell (Eric), Jason Hatfield, Tammy Eckard (Justin), nine grandchildren, Adam Hatfield (Alison), Ashley Tucker (Jason), Brandon Powell, Devin Powell, Cameron Hatfield, Cole Hatfield, Braelyn Eckard, Andrew Eckard, and Payton Eckard, and two great-grandchildren, Sidney Hatfield and Carter Tucker, and brother, Carl Hatfield (Linda)

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Morrow and Mabel (Hayes) Hatfield, and two brothers, Nick Hatfield (Ruth) and Robert Hatfield, and sister, Virgilene Adkins (Carlton).

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 22, at 2 pm and public viewing from 3 pm to 6 pm at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast, 1051 E Johnstown Road, Gahanna, Ohio 43230.

Foster Hatfield will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43213, on Monday, December 23, at 2:30 pm. Family and friends are welcome to gather to say their final goodbyes.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harlem Road Church in his memory, a charity of your choice, or feel free to honor his memory by planting a tree as Foster's birthday was shared with Earth Day.

https://harlemroad.churchcenter.com/giving?open-in-church-center-modal=true