For those who did not know my dad, heres a piece of him. James Robert Foster passed away Monday, November 25, 2013. He was 87 years of age. A military funeral service will be held Tuesday, December 3rd at 2:30 PM. Friends and family will meet at Reillys Irish Pub on Fireweed Lane in Anchorage immediately afterward. James was born October 18, 1926 in Lewiston, Idaho. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served through the end of World War II. Always keen for any adventure, James moved his family north, over the rough-cut Alaska-Canada Highway to Alaska in 1958, where he worked as a forest firefighter, plumber and handyman. He later moved to Portland, Oregon and worked as a chainsaw distributor, but his love for Alaska never dimmed. In 1975 he returned to Alaska with a new family and set down permanent roots. James love for Alaska was deep. His favorite activity was taking the family on summer camping trips, where every evening fire was the scene of him reading the poetry of Robert Service, with such light and love in his deep voice it seemed like music to all who heard. Every river and lake he crossed needed to be tested for fish, every stretch of road needed to be driven and every vista viewed as if it were his destiny to stand there and view it. He lead annual summer trips to Chitina, where he taught his family to dip for the Copper River red salmon and live with that bounty. Those trips continue still, with his sons keeping the tradition going. And yes, Dad, what happens in Chitina stays in Chitina! James is survived in death by his wife Cleda, who married the grey-bearded Alaskan at Marlow Manner in January of 2012. He is also survived by his brothers Cal and Dan. Jim will be remembered by children Kevin (Stacey), Mike, Steve, Janet (Richard) Burmeister, Marci (Hans) Skibo-Fix, Patrick (Saundra), Michael (Karen). Also remembered by grandchildren, Matthew, Keegan, Nicholas, James, Jason Wright, Corey Wright, Becki Peterson, Jacob Peterson, Nathan Leonard, Kristal Leonard. James was preceded in death by son Matthew Foster, grandson Nicholas Wright, wife Carol Foster.
Posted on: Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:41:47 +0000
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