Jerry James Foster

November 12, 1939 - March 29, 2026

Preceded in death by mother Lucille Jemison Foster and father, Gerald A. Foster

Children:

Sheila Foster and husband Brett Nixon

Brad Foster and wife Leah Foster

Scott Montgomery (stepson) and wife Lori Nakaoka

Grandchildren:

Clarity Carder

Bailey Foster

Keegan Foster

Step-grandchildren:

Haley Montgomery

Clyde Montgomery

Elana King-Nakaoka

Sara King-Nakaoka

Brother: Stephen Foster and wife Sally Foster

Half-sister: Joan Waterson and husband Bob Waterson (both deceased)

Sisters-in law: Miriam McCall and husband John McCall (deceased) and Nancy Chinn and

husband Garry Chinn

11 nieces and nephews

Jerry Foster was born and grew up in Coshocton, Ohio, the son of the town doctor Dr Gerald

Foster and a community-minded mother Lucille Foster. He often said he had the perfect

childhood. Adored by his paternal grandmother and loved and respected by both of his parents.

Jerry never heard a disparaging word from his mother and at an early age, he accompanied his

physician father to work, going from home to home, watching his father care for patients and

leading to an interest in the field of medicine. As a child Jerry developed a passion for reading

and learning. Life’s early experiences created Jerry’s lifelong curiosity, love of learning, and

respect for people of all kinds.

After attending Duke University for three years, Jerry transferred to Ohio State University and

then later attended The OSU College of Medicine, becoming a pediatric physician in 1964, with

a Masters in Psychology. Jerry first married in 1962 and fathered two bright and beautiful

children, Sheila and Brad. After residency, Jerry entered the Air Force under the Berry Plan and

served at Rheinmein Air Force Base in Germany from 1968-1972. Following his military

service, Jerry joined the Ohio State University Pediatric Department and served as the chairman

of the Adolescent Department, Ambulatory Department and Emergency Department at The

Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio from 1973-1978. While there he founded the Emergency

Section of the American Academy of Pediatrics. It was also while at Children’s Hospital in

Columbus that Jerry became deeply committed to addressing child abuse across the nation,

serving on the National Board Against Child Abuse and working with schools, agencies and

hospitals to support children and parents in ending the cycle of abuse.

Following his divorce in 1974, Jerry married Joanna Walz Montgomery in 1975, expanding his

family to include Joanna’s son Scott Montgomery. In 1978, Jerry re-entered the Air Force and

was assigned to chair the Pediatric Department at Wilford Hall, Lackland Air Force Base, where

he served from 1978-1984. Jerry later moved to Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton Ohio,

where he served as the Chairman of Pediatrics from 1984-1994. He later served as the pediatric

consultant to the Air Force Surgeon General, Charles (Chip) Roadman. Jerry completed his

military career by returning to San Antonio, Texas, where his assignment was to integrate

medical residencies for the Air Force and the US Army. He retired in 1997, and among other

honors was awarded the Legion of Merit.

Although Jerry experienced serious health problems which curtailed his post-military

professional plans, Jerry’s zest for learning never wavered. He loved to travel and he and Joanna

explored the world, from Alaska to the Caribbean and from Europe to Japan and Australia.

Jerry’s love of learning also led him to what he referred to as his second career. As a member of

the Travis Park United Methodist Church, Jerry became passionate about its ministry to the

homeless and in helping to transform lives. He loved teaching and working with people of all

ages, educational backgrounds and income levels. Jerry possessed the uncanny ability to always

see the best in people, accept them just as they are, and to put them at ease. As a human being,

Jerry was extraordinary. A man of great integrity and kindness, he was bright, creative and

compassionate. He was a loving husband, an adoring father and grandfather, and a blessing to all

who knew him