JW Foster, 96, of Westlake, La., passed from this life on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022.
JW was born and raised in Louisiana; he spent his youth working outdoors in the fields helping his parents and siblings. He then decided to serve his country in the U.S. Navy where he worked as a coxswain on the USS Okaloosa during World War II. He came home to meet and marry the love of his life, Helen Rita Kibodeaux. They settled in Westlake where he went to work for Ma Bell. He first became a lineman but went on to work as a PBX installer until he retired. “Dub” and Helen spent his retired years enjoying each other’s company, sharing coffee with guests that would pop in to say hello, caring for others when they had a need, travelling to whichever Marine Corps base Robert was stationed at or enjoying time with his granddaughters. He loved piddling in the yard, growing a garden and even kept sheep for some time. He was a doting husband, caring father, and adoring PawPaw who was loved and will be dearly missed.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, Robert Foster and Debi of Orange, Texas; daughter, Diana Hargroder and Scott of Beaumont, Texas; brother, HG Foster and Fern of Lake Charles, La.; sister, Betty Ruth Bult of Iowa, La.; grandchildren, Allison Windwehen, Mandy Atchley, Angela Rutkowski, Megan Foster, Matthew Richter, Rusty Hargroder, Casey Hargroder, Holly Caldwell and Lainey Hanna; 16 great-grandchildren; six great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Kibodeaux Foster; parents, Marion and Ella Foster; brother, JT Foster; sisters, Ruby Dees, Ruth Tyson, Irene Butts.
Visitation will be held on Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Myers Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La. Graveside Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023, at The Gazebo at Highland Memory Gardens in Lake Charles, La. Pastor Alexandria Geovanni will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Clayton LaFleur, Shane Windwehen, Gary Lee Kibodeaux, Tim Rougeou, Scott Hargroder and Matthew Richter. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens in Lake Charles, La.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in JW’s name to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society at nmcrs.org or 875 N. Randolph St., Ste 225, Arlington, VA 22203 or The Richter Food Program at St. Paul Methodist Church, 1155 W. Roundbunch, Bridge City, TX 77611.
Services are under the direction of Myers-Colonial Funeral Home in DeRidder, La.