Pastor Darrow Foster

Beloved father, grandfather, husband, uncle, teacher, pastor who loved Jesus above all else, who cherished his family and faithfully served his church family, passed away peacefully in Loma Linda, California on May 3, 2022, at the age of 95. After his wife Yvonne passed away in 2020, Darrow experienced very slow decline until a sudden change in his health in January necessitated further care at the home of his daughter and son-in-law for six weeks before he could return to his caregivers.

Born October 9, 1926, in Rochert, Minnesota to Orris and Helen Foster and his four-year-old brother Orris Jr. His sister Darlene would arrive two years later. Orris moved the family to a farm where Darrow grew up working hard, getting up early to milk the cows and chop the wood before going to school and coming home after school to complete additional chores. Sometime the winter snowdrifts were so high that their mother would walk ahead of them to school so they could follow in her boot prints.

At age five, Darrow became deathly ill with pneumonia and his mother called the neighbor lady to help her work feverish to save his life, applying hot onion poultices to his chest until it appeared he would survive. However, he would miss the entire first grade recovering at home. Darrow would thrive in the warm summers putting up hay and other farm work, but would suffer through the winters with coughs, colds, and several bouts of pneumonia.

At age 14, Darrow gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized into the SDA faith along with his family. He decided to attend Sheyenne River Academy in ND, working summers to pay for the tuition. For his last year of high school, he graduated from Union College Academy in Nebraska. Darrow continued his education at Union College, working summers in a box factory and selling books while riding around on a motor bike. Darrow decided to become a pastor and dedicate his life to ministry. His mother was worried that Darrow wouldn’t survive another Minnesota winter so suggested he go to Southern California where the climate would be better. His sister Darlene and her husband Howard were already living in Loma Linda, California. Darrow took her advice and attend La Sierra College majoring in Theology and working as a window washer at the old sanitarium on the hill now known as Nichol Hall. Darrow was a friendly person and soon made many friends and they would gather for meals on Friday evenings. One of his friends, Yvonne, a nursing student from Canada caught his eye. They soon fell in love and were married September 10, 1951. She became his soulmate, nurse, mother of their three children, partner in ministry and wife for nearly 69 years. Darrow would complete his Theology Degree and minor in Elementary Education at La Sierra College in 1953. The two of them head to Arizona Conference for his first assignment where Darrow taught in the church school during the week and pastored and preached on the weekends. Those were busy years for Darrow and Yvonne as the size of their family grew to include Loretta and Darrow Jr.

Darrow had a passion for education and was moved to Berrien Springs, MI in 1960 where he returned to graduate school. In 1961, he obtained his Master’s Degree from Andrews Theological Seminary. While waiting for an internship, Darrow was principal and taught 7th and 8th grades at Mt Vernon Elementary School in Mt. Vernon, Ohio for one year. He was then assigned the Athens, Ohio district where he pastored five churches under the mentorship of Pastor Gifford and Pastor Trumper. He became an ordained pastor July 12, 1966.

Darrow went on to pastor various churches in Ohio and Pennsylvania until he retired for the first time in 1994. Darrow and Yvonne decided to move to Tehachapi, California to be closer to family. Dad would become a parttime pastor at the Tehachapi SDA church. With his encouragement, they would raise funds and break ground for their new sanctuary. Darrow pastored until the age of 78 when he retired for the second time.

Darrow’s health improved as the years went by. Age 40 found him carrying three-month-old Cynthia all through Mammoth Cave in Kentucky on a family vacation. In his 50’s Darrow was jogging and jumping rope and later in life walking daily. Darrow loved to take his children camping and on summer road trips to Canada, Minnesota, and southern California always on the lookout for good fruit. Darrow enjoyed introducing his children to agate hunting, watermelon feeds, playing horseshoes, ping pong, Chinese checkers, and the joys of washing the car and other house chores. He enjoyed meeting new people, spending time with his family, gardening and ministering to many church members who became like family. Darrow also enjoyed playing the harmonica and singing. In retirement, Darrow and Yvonne enjoyed trips to Alaska with his sister Darlene and brother-in-law Howard Juhl. They enjoyed helping to build churches. They were also able to visit the Arctic Circle and take a plane ride to a glacier on Mt. McKinley.

In 2011, at the age of 85, Darrow and Yvonne sold their home and moved to Loma Linda to be closer to their children. Darrow cared for Yvonne after she fell and broke her hip. As they required more assistance, they moved to Linda Valley Assisted Living for one year. When it soon became apparent that they needed even more assistance, they moved to Joy Boling’s house where Yvonne passed away September 9, 2020, a day before their 69th wedding anniversary. Darrow continued to enjoy walking with his walker, morning devotions and studying prophecy with Karis, praying, singing, looking at the garden and visits from his family especially his eldest daughter Loretta. Darrow spent his last year under the love and care of Joy and Karis Boling, daughter Susie Fries and their family at their Board and Care in Loma Linda. Darrow took his final breaths with Joy, his daughter Loretta and son-in-law Robert at this side. Darrow fell asleep believing in Jesus, awaiting the return of his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ who he longed to see. His wish was to see all his friends and family in heaven. Darrow had a smile that lit up a room. His smiles and loving hugs will be greatly missed by his family.

Darrow was preceded in death by his parents Orris and Helen, wife Yvonne, siblings Orris Jr and Darlene Juhl.

Darrow is survived by his son Darrow (Alice), daughters Loretta (Robert), Cynthia (Harold), three grandchildren, cousins Edna, Maxine, Linda and Loel and numerous nephews and nieces.

Darrow and Yvonne were members of the Victoria SDA church in Loma Linda when they passed away.