JAMES OTIS FOSTER II

1926 - 2016

"JIM"

JAMES OTIS FOSTER II

June 16, 1926 - April 1, 2016

Dallas - JAMES OTIS "JIM" FOSTER II, 89, died Friday, April 1st in Dallas. He was born on June 16, 1926, in Dallas, Oregon, the son of James and Meda Thiesies Foster. He was a member of the Dallas High School Class of 1944. Jim was drafted out of his first semester at Willamette University. He trained as photographer in the Army Air Corps and flew reconnaissance in B-25s off the California coast. On December 27, 1947, he married Florence "Betty" Boydston in Dallas. Jim worked in the Valsetz Mill for a couple of years before getting hired at Pacific Power and Light as a lineman. He worked for PP&L from 1950 until he retired in 1986. He was a member of the I.B.E.W. for 65 years. Jim was very civic-minded and proudly served his community as a member of the Dallas Volunteer Fire Department for 35 years, serving from 1957 until his retirement at the rank of Battalion Chief in 1992. Jim was also a member of the Carl B. Fenton American Legion Post #20, B.P.O.E #1950 Independence Elks Lodge, past member of Dallas Kiwanis, past member of the Dallas City Planning Commission. Jim received the Dallas First Citizen award in 1975. He was also a past board member of the Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District and served on the budget committee until his death. Jim was a member of the Dallas Evangelical Church in Dallas for many years and taught Sunday School as well as being active as an usher and in other church capacities. For the past several years, he has attended the Evangelical Bible Church in Dallas. He enjoyed bowling and participating in a number of tournaments around the state. Jim was an outdoor enthusiast and enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. He was an avid gardener and took pride in his roses. He kept the house full of bouquets in season.

He is survived by his sons, James Otis Foster III of Dallas and Philip John Foster of Medford, two grandchildren Dan Foster of Corvallis and Amberly (Aaron) Maxwell of Providence, Rhode Island and two great grandchildren Cordelia Madeleine Maxwell and Daphne Penelope Maxwell. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty on December 20, 2015, and his sister, Dorothy Tilson and brother, Theodore Foster.

Funeral services will begin at 1:00pm Thursday, April 14th in the Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center. Vault interment will follow in the Dallas Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dallas Fire Department Harpy Bovard Scholarship fund or James II Community Kitchen or to the charity of choice in care of Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center who is caring for the family. To leave a message or memory please go to www.dallastribute.com.