Sept. 5, 1932 –

Nov. 8, 2012

James Eugene “Jim” Foster, U.S. Air Force Col. Ret., of Liberty Township, Ohio, formerly of Phoenix, Md., passed away following a long illness, on Nov. 8, 2012, at Hospice of Dayton, Ohio, at Butler-Warren.

Jim was a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. After graduation, he joined the Air Force. He served 30 years of active duty. His tour included being stationed in Dover AFB, Okinawa, The Pentagon, Andrews Air Force and retiring at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, after serving as the Chief of Staff at Aeronautical Systems Division. He also served a year in Vietnam.

He loved to fly airplanes especially C-130s around the world and had fascinating stories to tell family, friends and loved ones. He was a Civil War buff and loved his church families at both Lakota Baptist Church in West Chester and Gunpowder Baptist in Baltimore. Burial services are scheduled at National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., at a future date.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Carolyn Cone Foster, one son James Foster, MD, (Lisa Heinemeyer), and one daughter Constance Foster-Pierce (Edward Pierce); six grandchildren: J.T., Danny, Megan, Caitlin, and Shannon Foster and Caroline Pierce.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Pike Dayton, OH. 45420. They wish to thank Hospice of Dayton, Hospice of Butler-Warren for all the care and comfort they provided him in his final days.

Hodapp Funeral Home of Liberty Township was in charge of the arrangements.