James Walter Foster

James Walter "Jim" Foster, age 62 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died unexpectedly on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the Capital Region Medical Center. Jim was born June 9, 1950, in Springfield, Mo., the son of Charles G. and Virginia Cloninger Foster. He was married on December 29, 1984, in Sedalia, Mo. to Karla Jean Kirkpatrick. Jim was a 1968 graduate of Jefferson City High School and a 1972 graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. After graduation, he was employed with Safeway stores, serving as a manager in Phoenix, Tucson, and Holbrook, Arizona. Later he moved back to Missouri to purchase his own grocery store in Osceola. In 1983, he returned to Jefferson City to become Supervisor of International Marketing for the Missouri State Department of Agriculture and later became the Director of Personnel for the department. In 1991, he established his own business wholesaling food products nationally and internationally. Jim was a member of the First Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon and Chairman of the Deacons. He was a Sunday school teacher, sang in the Adult Choir, and served on several church committees. He was an active supporter of the Missouri Baptist Children's Home in St. Louis. Jim helped start Upward Basketball at First Baptist Church, coached several teams, and refereed many games each season. Jim enjoyed trout fishing and golfing, was an avid Mizzou and Cardinal fan, and loved playing Geezer basketball. Most of all, he loved his family and was actively involved in their lives. Survivors include: his wife, Karla; his father, Charles Foster of Jefferson City, Mo.; his brother, Gene Foster and his wife Teresa of Jefferson City, Mo.; four children, Stephanie Duke and her husband David and their son Davis Kyle Duke of McKinney, Texas, Charles Wade and his wife Chelsea of Sunnyvale, California, Kristen, a missionary in Bangkok, Thailand, and Jenna, a senior at Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo.; his father and mother-in-law, Dr. Chester and Dorothy Kirkpatrick of Sedalia, Mo., two brothers-in-law, Dr. Glen and Lori Kirkpatrick of Parkville, Mo. and Donald and Shelly Kirkpatrick of Leawood, Kansas; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother, Virginia Cloninger Foster. Jim gave the gift of life to numerous people by being an organ donor. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, November 1, 2012, at the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Doyle Sager officiating. Interment will be at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First Baptist Church Missions Program. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com