John Edward Foster

John Edward Foster, 95 ½, a good Christian man, a gentleman, a respected man, was called by Our Lord, God on March _16__, 2009. Born in Laredo, Texas to Edmund Jarvis Foster and Delia Mackin Foster on August 6, 1913, Jack, as he was affectionately known, was a 4th generation Laredoan. His great grandfather, Capt. Samuel M. Jarvis, served as Mayor of Laredo and District Surveyor in the late 1800s. After graduating from George Washington University in 1937, Jack carried on in his family tradition by working side-by-side with his father, E.J. Foster as a Civil Engineer and Surveyor. On May 1, 1941, he eloped with the love of his life, Elizabeth Kowalski. Jack’s partnership with his father was interrupted during World War II when Jack served in the US Army Corp of Engineers until 1946. He was initially stationed during the War in the Southeast Pacific where he designed and constructed tactical airfields and later designed pontoon boats to serve as bridges. Following his return from the War, Jack and his father, E.J. Foster, established Foster Engineering Company. Jack Foster’s career also included serving as general manager of Longoria Enterprises, the establishment of the Laredo Lumber and Supply Company and the Laredo Ice Company. He also served a stint as Webb County Surveyor. In 1969 he and his wife, Elizabeth opened Foster’s a decorative accessory store and he returned to his Civil Engineering practice fulltime, becoming the principal engineer for the development of the northern, western, and southern subdivisions in Laredo. He continued serving as President of Foster Engineering Company until 2008 when at 94 years young he retired and closed the firm. During his life, Jack Foster was fortunate to live out his dreams. He enjoyed a 68 year marriage and companionship with Elizabeth, fathered eight children, attended church regularly, served as Captain of his own boat, “The Last Hurrah”, hunted bear in Alaska at the age of 80, travelled the world (including a flight on the Concord and passage on the Bullet Train), shared may adventures with family and friends and was a Saturday regular at Mil Ojos. John Foster, a member of the greatest generation, was bestowed with many accolades during his life including being named as a 2001 Laureate by Laredo’s Junior Achievement together with professional recognition by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers and the Texas Board of Professional Land Surveyors. In 2007 he received one of his greatest honors by being invested as a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.He is preceded by his parents, Edmund J. and Delia Mackin Foster, Sisters, Mary Dorothy F. Palacios, Elizabeth “Patsy” F. Moore, his daughter, Alice Agnes Foster and son, Stephen Mackin Foster, and grandson, John J. Foster, Jr.He leaves his loving wife, Elizabeth Kowalski, Foster, six children, John Jarvis Foster (Millie), Elizabeth (Junie) Foster O’Connell, Dorothy (Dody) Foster, Mary Susan Foster, Edward Louis Foster (Magda), and Sarah (Sally) F. Gonzalez (Guillermo), 9 grandchildren, Kevin J. O’Connell, Kelly Goedicke (Victor), Edward L. Foster Jr. (Kim), John Hall Foster, Guillermo (Bill) Gonzalez III (Leslie), Sarah, Matthew and Catherine Gonzalez, Stephanie and Thomas Foster and 5 great grandchildren, brother, Edwin Atlee Foster, sister, Mable Foster Allen, sister-in-laws, Dorothy K. Longoria and Melita K. Cullinan as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Jack now joins his old friends, including Red Camp, Radcliffe Killam, Richard Campbell, Doc Adams, George Jackson, Bob Trautmann, Fred Galo, John Hurd and Bill Compton for new adventures. The Foster Family expresses their sincere gratitude to the numerous doctors, nurses and medical care providers that tended to Jack Foster during his final days, especially to Dr. Joaquin Cigarroa Dr. James Wellerson of the Texas Heart Institute and the nursing staff of Laredo Medical Center ICU. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations in John Foster’s name are made to St. Patrick’s Church Renovation Fund, Bethany House or the charity of your choice.Visitation will start at 9:00 am and a Rosary will follow at 9:30 am Wednesday March 18, 2009. Funeral Mass will be Concelebrated by Msgr. Tom Davis and Concelebrated by most reverend James A. Tamayo, Bishop Diocese of Laredo at 11:00 am at St. Patrick Church. The Interment will follow at the Catholic CemeteryPallbearers will be Kevin John O’Connell, Edward L. Foster, Jr., Guillermo E. Gonzalez III, John Hall Foster, Matthew L. Gonzalez, Dr. Guillermo E. Gonzalez, Jr., and Tony Trevino.Honorary Pallbearers are Gen. Milton Adams, Mr. Calton Whitworth, Gen. Ken Fleenor, Marvin Milson and Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa.Funeral arrangements are under the care of Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services,4502 Thomas Ave.For your convenience you may sign the guest book and extend your condolences to the family on our website @ www.freddickey.com.For more information please contact us at 723-3611.