John A. "Jack" Foster

1922 - 2016

Foster John A. "Jack" Foster, age 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Thursday, October 13, 2016, at the Forum Healthcare Center in Columbus. Jack was born on August 11, 1922 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to the late George and Ivadell (Goldworthy) Foster. He served in World War II as an Army PFC. He graduated from New Haven, MI High School in 1940 and from Michigan State University in 1948 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Jack worked at Bliss Manufacturing in Hastings, MI from 1948-1954 He also worked at JL Clark Manufacturing in Rockford, IL as head of research and development from 1954 until retirement in 1984. He invented the plastic spice can top used by McCormick Spices as well as many other lids and tops, holding 29 patents. He then moved to Tucson, AZ where he lived until 2015 when he moved to Columbus, OH. Jack loved camping with his family, adding tents as his family grew. He was an avid sailor and known in the family for his amazing reading of stories of all kinds to all ages. He was a devoted member of the Episcopal Church, helping found St. Anskar's Episcopal Church in Rockford, IL. He was a Eucharistic Minister and lay reader at St. Anskar's in Rockford, IL and Christ the King Episcopal Church in Tuscon, AZ. He was a longtime leader and team member for Cursillo. In his later years, he took up tapestry weaving using original designs. He wove the stoles for his son Craig's ordination to deacon in 2007. Jack is survived by Juliette (Stucky) Foster, his wife of 72 years; children, David (Joanne) Foster, Columbus, OH, Sara (Louis) Oliveira, Portsmouth, RI, Matthew (Virginia) Foster, Columbus, OH and Craig (Kathy) Foster, Columbus, OH; grandchildren, Erica (Brian) Carlson, Amy (Greg) Adams, Jane Foster (Adam) Pessin, John (Sheri) Foster, Brian (Ruta) Foster, Benjamin Oliveira, Ella Oliveira, Maggie Foster, Hannah (Chris) Krause and Emily (Chate) Kunda; great-grandchildren, Caleb, Josh, Isaac, Nathan, Emma, William, Ezra, Iris, Hawk, Ava, Matteson, Zoe, Jordan, Rhees, Juliette, Joshua, Elijah and Nylah. Family will receive friends 1-2 p.m. on Monday, October 17, 2016 at St. John's Episcopal Church, 1003 West Town Street, Columbus, Ohio 43222, where a memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. There will be a reception at the Forum at Knightsbridge, 4590 Knightsbridge Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio at 4 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL.