James Cleveland Foster

The Reverend James Cleveland Foster (Jim) of Little Rock died on September 10, 2014. He was born in Moorefield on May 5, 1933. His parents were Cleveland and Una Foster. Jim grew up in Batesville, Ark. and graduated as valedictorian from Batesville High School in 1951. He is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a degree in Accounting. He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Jim was in the ROTC and served in the US Army Reserves for eight years. Jim is survived by Nancy, his wife of 54 years, his son, COL (Ret.) Phil (Wendy) of Dallas, Texas and Carol of Menlo Park, Calif.; four grandchildren, Christina (Kevin) Sanchez of McDill Air Force Base, Fla., Jennifer Foster of Oklahoma City, Okla. and Megan and Cody Wiebe of Menlo Park, Calif.; two great-grandchildren, Aundrea and Hosea Sanchez; his sisters, Margaret (Ray) Tanner of Memphis, Tenn. and Ellen (Bill) Sayle of Collierville, Tenn.; and a niece and six nephews. Jim had a 32 year career with Southwestern Bell, AT&T and AT&T Bell Laboratories before becoming a United Methodist minister. He received his Masters of Divinity from St. Paul Seminary in 1990 before serving at Trinity UMC, Sulphur Springs UMC, Oak Forest UMC, and First United Methodist Church of Little Rock. In retirement, he continued as an active member of First United Methodist Church. Known as Brother Jim, he lived out his strong faith in God in service to others and touched countless lives. Jim was a member of West Little Rock Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was an avid Razorback fan and was a season ticket holder for over 50 years. Jim played golf twice a week with the same two friends for more than 10 years and parred a hole at Pebble Beach, Calif. on his 70th birthday. Jim was a lead tenor and soloist in the choirs of the churches he attended and led. A loyal, life long friend to many, Jim reached out to all those whose paths he crossed. He will be celebrated; he will be remembered; and he will be missed. Visitation will be Friday, September 12th, 2014 from 4-6 p.m., at First United Methodist Church, 723 Center St., Little Rock, Ark. 72201. A celebration of his life will be held at First United Methodist Church at 11 a.m., on Saturday, September 13th, 2014. A private burial will be in Batesville, Ark. at Oaklawn Cemetery following the service. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. (501) 224-8300. Memorials may be made to Oak Forest UMC Food Pantry, 2415 Fair Park Blvd., Little Rock, Ark. 72204 and First United Methodist Church. Online guestbook:www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.