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Joseph (Joe) Holt Foster, Jr.
Joseph (Joe) Holt Foster, Jr.
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Joseph (Joe) Holt Foster, Jr. Obituary
Father...Husband...Leader...Mentor...The Stamford Inn...Salesmanship Club...Marathon Runner...Joe Foster Company...Maplewood...DCC...Granddaddy...SAE...World War II Documentaries...Hook 'Em Horns...Integrity...Burger's Lake...HP Wrestling...The Four Freshmen...Australia...Texas Cowboy Reunion...Stamford Bulldogs..."Hustle!"...Nat's Chicken Fried Steak...Phillips Exeter Academy...CRE...John Wayne...Perseverance...River Crest Country Club...Key Lime Pie...Cold Beer...Elvis Presley...Oscoda...American-Made...Joe Jock...Breakfast Clubs...Cloudcroft Golf Trips...Troop 82...San Francisco...Lone Star Masters Swimmer...U.S. Air Force...Honesty...ULI...Rotary Club...Father-Daughter Ski Trips...Celebration...Growler...Boat on the Lake...North Texas Commercial Real Estate Hall of Fame...Ruidoso...Green Karmann Ghia Convertible...Dirty Martin's...B-1 Bomber Belt Buckle....Shane...Austin...SIOR...Dickie's...Coffee Yogurt...Houston Ship Channel..."Never, Never, Never ----NEVER Give Up!"...Loved and Remembered Always.
This precious life ended on March 1, 2025. Joe Foster, an only child, has now joined his father, Joseph Holt Foster, Sr. and his mother, Sarah Wheeler Foster in Heaven. Joe Foster blessed this earth for 89 years and bequeathed to the world an indelible imprint of personal character, professional achievement, three children who loved him dearly, and two grandchildren who will carry on his high morals and relentless will. He leaves behind a devoted wife of 66 years, Eloise Tate Foster, in whom his sun rose and set. He considered his marriage to Eloise his greatest blessing and most impressive achievement. His three children and their spouses will always treasure the colorful memories they shared with Joe: J. Holt Foster, III and his wife Heather; Angelique Foster Cranfill and her husband Chad; Allison Annette Foster-Letico and her husband Vincenzo. And finally, his grandchildren, Holt IV and "Big" Tate Foster, in whom he held great pride. He humbly felt that his legacy would be reflected through these two outstanding young men. All wish Joe a beautiful voyage to meet his maker and to receive his crown of jewels that reflect all the goodness, selflessness, ethics, and earnestness that he embodied.
From Joe: "I am not 'done.' Turkeys are 'done.' I am finished. I am finished with my work here; and I have gone on to bigger deals and better slopes. See you there!"
His family will hold a memorial service in Cox Chapel of Highland Park United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm on Monday, March 31st. In lieu of flowers, gifts of condolence may be expressed in donations to Phillips Exeter Academy or The Salesmanship Club of Dallas.
20 Entries
Edgar Estrada
March 31, 2025
I know the Fosters because my mother has worked for them for as long as I can remember. It´s due to this relationship that I had the opportunity to help Mr. Foster a few times. I particularly remember assisting him with cleaning out his office and organizing the storage at their home. He always struck me as a very serious man with a grounded disposition. He was incredibly focused, and his demeanor reminded me of the men you see in suspense or mystery dramas from the 1950s, like Gary Cooper or William Holden.
One particular day stands out. We were going through a bunch of boxes containing various items they had purchased over the years. My job was to label them and inform him about what was inside each one. I remember, with fondness, that one of the boxes contained a set of China. He told me it was a collector´s item and that I should be very careful not to break it. During those few hours spent with him, Mr. Joe didn´t do much talking, but when he did, his words often felt like a brief historical segment, revealing where certain things had come from and how they had come to be in their possession. He wasn´t much of a chatterbox, either, but the small details he shared with me were full of wondrous nuances about the episodes in his life and the memories contained in those boxes.
Throughout all of this, Mr. Joe maintained his serious, yet occasionally joking, nature. He was determined to get things done and made sure to let me know whenever he felt I was slacking. I didn´t take it as him being mean, but rather as him being very direct and to the point. You see, I´m quite used to this kind of straightforwardness because my mother is very much the same way. He knew exactly what he wanted, what he expected, and he made sure to communicate that clearly to me.
In sharing this, I recall a few hours spent with a man I didn´t know deeply but who certainly conveyed a strong presence. He didn´t speak or joke much, but when he did, it was always accompanied by a side smirk-a bit mischievous, you could say. All in all, he maintained a kindness toward me through his serious nature, which I´ve also experienced in my interactions with his wife, Mrs. Eloise Foster, and their children, Holt, Allison, and Angelique.
My deepest condolences on your loss. I know Mr. Joe is probably up there organizing a few things as we speak.
Tom Pearson
March 27, 2025
I have so many great memories dating back to my early days as a young broker with Joe Foster Co. Reading "Dress For Success" and his critique of preparing a sales pkg were two of my most memorable experiences with Joe. He was a unique guy and certainly made a significant contribution to our industry and launched many excellent careers. I am so fortunate to have gotten to work with him and establish so many relationships through my association with Joe that have lasted through the years. God bless his family.
Leslie Hyland Rodgers
March 27, 2025
Dearest Angelique, Eloise, Allison, Holt and family, I am so sorry for your loss. It must be a painful time for you. I also know from the beautiful obituary that you will always cherish your happy memories of this wonderful man who you loved so much. I´m sure it is a comfort to know that he has gone Home to the Lord, and to those who´ve gone before him. I love you all, and I am holding you close in my prayers. With love and blessings, Leslie Hyland Rodgers
Kimberlee Gromatzky
March 21, 2025
I worked for Joe Foster in the 1980's and he was an impressive, gregarious, charming leader. We remained friends throughout the years. Steve and I are so sad to hear he passed, and our love and prayers are with his family
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ALLEN W TAYLOR
March 20, 2025
God bless Joe and the family, he had an eye for beauty, married the maid of cotton
Julie Ackerley
March 16, 2025
I am so sorry for your loss.
Julie Ackerley
Donna Pierce
March 16, 2025
We´ve lost a special person - prayers for all the family. The Pierce Family
Gary Corona
March 16, 2025
Holt, So sorry to learn of your father's passing. It sounded like he was an incredible person. Sincerely, Gary Corona
Steve Stein
March 15, 2025
We are all saddened by the passing of Joe Foster. It was a privilege to know him. The great love he had for his family, and the pride he took in all of them is the benchmark of being a man. Our love and prayers to his family.
Ava Swayze
March 15, 2025
Love and prayers.
Steve Andrews
March 11, 2025
I had the pleasure of working for Joe for 10 years and it was such an invaluable experience. He was the epitome of integrity, creativity and grit in some really rough times in the 80's & 90's. He was incredibly supportive on the various civic activities I was doing when I went to work for him. It is truly remarkable how many people started in the business at Joe Foster Company. Equally remarkable is the number of breakfast meetings Joe held at the Dallas Country Club over the years. A couple of things to add to the Glimpses of Joe Foster are "Little Notebook" (he always carried) and "Dress for Success" (not a fan of flashy socks and especially no socks). He truly was one of a kind, a Dallas icon in the real estate community and will be deeply missed. I mean how can you look at that picture of him and not just let out a big smile.....
Susan Gwin Burks
March 11, 2025
Joe is a true legend in the commercial real estate industry. A bright and experienced leader, he was always positive, helpful and epitomized the Golden Rule. Joe was greatly admired for his character and integrity. It was an honor to know him and work with him through the Counselors of Real Estate, an organization he highly respected and always worked to better. Joe will be missed by many and remembered by all.
Mark Smith
March 11, 2025
God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Grant Laughlin
March 11, 2025
Back in 1982 I met Joe when I started in the business. He is truly one of the great ones. His legacy continues. Fair winds and following seas Joe.
Franc J Pigna
March 11, 2025
Joe Foster, exemplified R W Emmerson's quote, "The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well." and he personified the best of the CRE's. May his memory be a blessing and God rest his soul. Franc J Pigna CRE
Alvin Benton
March 10, 2025
Joe was remarkable man, understood the counselor culture. We were invited to join the Counselors the Sam year. I remember attending many high level and regular meetings and serving on many committees with him. We will always remember him and will certainly miss him. Rest In Peace Joe. Al
Arthur Pasquarella, CRE
March 10, 2025
I met Joe many years ago at a Counselors of Real Estate conference. Always friendly and a gentleman. I remember vividly his calling card......."let's do a deal!" RIP, Joe. You will be missed. Art
Garner Chandler
March 10, 2025
Joe was one of my first friends in the Counselors of Real Estate (CRE) and always was kind, respectful and a great mentor and teammate within the organization. I feel as though he contributed far more than he took; he was that kind of a man. Maybe he'll meet my father, who was also a fellow SAE up there !..
Bill Brownfield
March 10, 2025
I've known Joe Foster through the Counselors of Real Estate for 25 years. He will be missed. Joe was an incredible person, full of humanity and integrity, a real icon in the commercial real estate world far beyond the boundaries of Dallas. He was easy to admire because of his ethics, his business acumen and how he treated everyone with kindness and respect. Trips to Cloudcroft were just plain fun, serving both as a gift to his guests and as a tribute to his early years playing golf there as a kid. I hope his family knows how many CREs were impacted so positively by Joe over the years. His memory lives on. Bill Brownfield, CRE
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