Jacob Lester "Les" Foreman .

Jacob Lester Foreman (Les) passed away January 5, 2011 in Memphis, TN. He was born Jan 4, 1920 in Remsen Iowa. His parents were George Foreman and Delia DeVelder Foreman. The family resided in northwest Iowa and Lester helped his parents and siblings on the family farm. He was a graduate of Boyden, Iowa High School and went on to Sheldon Junior College, in Sheldon Iowa. His education was interrupted by WWII and he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He completed pilot training and was a B-24 pilot. During this time he married Ruth Lubbers and they had three children. After the war ended he resumed his education at Westmar College in Iowa and graduated with a B.A. Degree in 1946. His first teaching job was in Hull, Iowa where he taught math, physics, and industrial arts. He also was a successful basketball and track coach. He spent his summers furthering his education, earning an MA at the University of Minnesota in 1950 and a Doctorate of Education at the University of Northern Colorado in 1957. His teaching career lasted for 45 years and he taught every level from elementary country school to graduate education courses. He was a professor of education at South Dakota State University. He was also the President of the South Dakota Education Association. He also taught in Memphis at Christian Brothers University. He ended his teaching career at Oakhaven High School in Memphis where he taught remedial math. He was a passionate teacher and was also the driving force in many professional educational organizations. ATE was one of his favorites and was a member for over 60 years, along with being a lifetime member of NEA. Dr. Foreman was loved by his students at every level and enjoyed hearing from students he had throughout his lifetime. He truly had education in his blood. His mother, wife, sisters, brother, daughter and stepdaughter were all teachers. He married his beloved Avis Pentecost of Memphis in 1981 and resided in Memphis until the time of his death. He was a northern gentleman and became a southern gentleman when he and Avis made their home together. They had a wonderful life together and traveled all over the United States and beyond in their motor home after their retirements from education. He was loved by all who met him and he loved everyone he met. He truly never met a stranger. He is survived by his wife, Avis of Memphis, his daughter Mary (John) of Bozeman, MT; his son Gary (Michelle) of Boulder CO; a stepson, Jim Pentecost of Germantown, and stepdaughter Penny Powers of Collierville. He is also survived by his sister Dorothy Bloemendaal of Leesburg, FL; and his brother Don of Davenport IA. He was preceded in death by his son Larry (Trudi), and his sister Marjorie. He had five grandsons, Gabe, Alexis, Spencer, Sean, and Sam Foreman, and step-grandsons Jason, Josh, and Jacob Powers, Murry and Matt Pentecost and step-grand daughter Penny Barry. Les and Avis shared 8 great-grandchildren. He also had many cherished nieces and nephews. Les was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church and was a member of their choir for 30 years. He was a man who loved whatever he was doing whether it was tinkering in his workshop, playing a round of golf, singing with a quartet, playing with children, petting a furry animal, dancing with his wife or talking with his children . He was there for everyone and will be missed by all the lives he touched. The family will receive friends begining at 12 noon until the service begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 8 at St. Luke United Methodist Church. A private burial will follow the service.