Jay Preston Foster II

JAY PRESTON FOSTER JR. was born in Chicago, IL on March 2, 1938, to Jay Preston Foster, Sr., and Marjorie Floyd. The only son of this union, Jay Jr. grew up as a bright, inquisitive, athletic, and independent child. Jay attended Raymond Elementary School and Tilden Technical High School in the

Chicago area. Jay was an intelligent student and one who was highly regarded by his

classmates . Jay accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior as a child and was reared

with Christian principles. It would be these principles that helped him to grow into a

responsible , giving, and caring man.

Upon graduation from high school, Jay enlisted in the United States Navy and was

immediately enrolled, and graduated from, in its arduous submarine training program , which

earned him the coveted Silver Dolphins insignia. Jay was assigned as part of the crew to

serve on the USS Blackfin (SS 322), a wartime submarine which had already earned heroic

recognition for meritorious service. Jay was an electrical specialist who was responsible for

maintaining and repairing the electrical and nuclear systems on board.

Jay’s naval career took him to all four corners of the world. Jay completed his active

duty in 1964, and immediately re enlisted as part of the Naval Reserves, where he served an

additional twelve years before retiring at the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

In 1965, Jay began working in at Pacific Telephone as a Station Installer. During his time

at Pacific Telephone, Jay saved the life of a man whose bed had caught fire. After Jay

saved the individual from the dangerous environment and assured that he was safe, he

actually continued working the rest of his shift and completed the rest of his installations

for the day! A humble hero, indeed.

Jay was one of 6 African Americans of a class of 131 cadets who graduated from the

Los Angeles Police Academy in 1967. Jay was assigned to the 77 th Street Division

station , and was immediately chosen to work with a Community Relations and

Recruitment task force , where he encouraged other African Americans to embark on

careers with the Police force . During his time with LAPD, Jay and his work partners

took countless area youth to the park, zoo, beach, and sporting events in town.

Some of the children remarked that it was their first time leaving their own

neighborhoods or seeing the beach, or ever going to a professional sporting event .

This work was incredibly satisfying for Jay, who was seen as a model Police Officer

and community role model. Jay promoted and was eventually assigned to head the

Department’s Background Investigations Unit, due to his experience and education, as well as his high standard of being so thorough. Jay retired from LAPD in January 1989, and was so admired and respected by his peers that even then Chief of Police, Darryl Gates, attended his retirement celebration.

In 1989, Jay moved to Las Vegas NV, and did not remain retired for long. He sought work

with the Clark County Metropolitan Police as a Deputy Sheriff, and began working in the

8th Judicial District Courts as a Bailiff District Courts as a Bailiff under the Honorable

Chris Christensen. Eventually, Jay was also assigned to work under the Honorable

Sally Loehrer before retiring for the third time in August 2000. Jay was well respected

within the courtroom by his peers and enjoyed his work immensely.

An avid learner, Jay completed studies at Cerritos College and earned an avid learner, Jay completed studies at Cerritos College and earned an Associates degree in General Social Sciences. Further, Jay was a longtime business owner, with General Social Sciences. Further, Jay was a longtime business owner, with a multitude ofa multitude of small small businesses over the course of 20 years. Among his ventures, he businesses over the course of 20 years. Among his ventures, he owned owned a direct a direct marketing mail order business, a laundromat, ice cream shop, and a Tinder Box retail store in

in Carson, CA. It was for this entrepreneurial venture that he he also took specialized courses and became a Certified Tobacco Expert, as well as earned several industry awards for the earned several industry awards for the management of his business. Jay exceled at at all he sought to do and always studied subjects and researched before he set out researched before he set out To To accomplish a goal. accomplish a goal.

Jay was incredibly handy about the house and frequently completed his own projects, whether

simple or complex. He was known for keeping his cool in all circumstances and for being solutions

oriented. He lived for order and consistency, and made sure his environment was neat, calm, and inviting. An keen cribbage and chess player, Jay possessed the critical thinking skills for games of strategy, and enjoyed reading technical manuals and non-fiction. Jay was also an excellent swimmer and enjoyed his daily exercise.

Jay was married for 45 years to the love of his life, Barbara Ann Scott. Their years together saw world travels, the purchase of several homes, business ventures, many great times shared with friends and family, and a partnership where they did most everything everything side by side. Their blended family brought him many years of joy, and he was able to experience the joy of being a father, grandfather and great grandfather. For as long as they were physically able, they enjoyed life in the Las Las Vegas area, experiencing what it had to offer in the way of entertainment, food, and and culture, and such outings usually included their very close friends. Well known for being great entertainers, extroverted Jay never passed up an opportunity to host friends at their home. Jay loved a good detective story and enjoyed space exploration sagas such as CSI and Star Trek. These thought-provoking stories kept him entertained. However, he was also known to enjoy comedies, and especially enjoyed the comedy of Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor.

Jay was a good citizen, someone who cared for his community and neighbors. Most weekends, you would find Jay not only cleaning his own yard but helping to keep the rest of his street clean! He was a reliable, compassionate, and giving individual who regularly gave of his time and talents for causes he held dear. He took his responsibilities seriously and always took the high road in issues in issues of of integrity, conflict, and strife. He held his friendships dear, and could be counted on

on by his friends to celebrate in good times and help to carry the load in the bad. He was known was for

for his quiet demeanor, sharp intelligence, dry wit, magnetic charm, dashing dashing good looks, and of course, his never, his never-ending 1000-watt smile.

Preceding Jay in death were his parents, Marjorie Woods, and Jay Sr. and Allene Foster; of

Chicago, IL; and brother, Juarez Andrews, of Los Angeles, CA. Leaving to reflect upon and embrace his memory are his devoted wife, Barbara, sons Gregory Miller (wife Nancy) and Jay Preston Foster II; daughter Christal Lynne Foster (husband Eric); siblings Allen Little (wife Betty) of Douglasville, GA and Elaine Hutton (husband Larry) of Blaine, MN; grandchildren Brian, Devin, Geanine, Kyle, Tevin and Tylor; beloved great-grandchildren, and a multitude of extended family, cherished law enforcement partners, close friends and neighbors, and esteemed colleagues. Jay’s life is truly a benediction, a life lesson, a Psalm. We are all the richer for knowing him, and for his tremendous influence in our lives.