Jodie Wayne Foster

On Sunday, August 23 at 7:30 pm the Foster family lost a part of their foundation. As the sun was setting over his home in Culpeper, Virginia, Jodie Wayne Foster (70), surrounded by his family, peacefully left this world.

Jodie carried many titles: “Loving and devoted Husband” of 45 years to the love of his life and wife Kathy Foster; “Dad” to their four children: Kari (Tim) Longman, Jacob (Charlotte) Foster, Joshua (Amber) Foster, Kylie Foster; and “Papa” to their six grandchildren: Emmie Longman, Samantha Longman, Rory Longman, Isabella Foster, Amelia Foster, and Jacob Foster. He was also a cherished “Son”, “Brother”, “Brother-in-Law” and “Uncle”, as well as “Friend” to many.

Dad was born on May 18, 1956 in Hale Center, Texas. He was very proud to be a fourth generation Texan. He spent his youth in Ponca City, Oklahoma where he learned how to ride bulls and how to be a cowboy. He learned to hunt, trap, fish, tend to horses and to cattle; sharing moments of adventure and endurance with his two sisters and brother.

At 18, Dad volunteered to serve his country during a time when military service was unpopular; he enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He completed his enlistment as an infantryman, machine gunner, combat diver, and skin diver at the rank of Corporal. He told stories of his time in the Marines with pride in his voice; sharing lessons of service and honor. One fond memory was his return to the US and upon seeing the Statue of Liberty, recognizing the great freedoms the American Constitution provides.

Dad loved to dance and at 24 he went dancing and met his future wife, Kathy. He walked up to her with that bold, mischievous confidence that belonged completely to him and he looked at her and said, “I bet I’m the only cowboy in here that knows which side of a horse to get up on.” They were married later that year in Houston, Texas.

Dad was an extremely hard worker. Over the next 30 years he dedicated his life to providing a stable and loving home for his family in Magnolia, Texas. He began working as a carpenter, he learned all trades of construction with focus, determination, and integrity. He elevated his position at the City of Houston from Inspector to Division Manager, Structural Inspections, at the time of his retirement in 2021. Dad believed that if you set your mind to it you can accomplish anything; he worked hard to live by that belief every day.

In 2021 Dad and Mom decided to leave Texas and move to Virginia to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They found a gorgeous hill in Culpeper, with a view of the Blue Mountains, on which to build their dream home and where they could explore and pursue their passions of beekeeping and gardening: the honey is delicious.

Over the last five years Dad shared his love of nature, wood-working projects, and knowledge about the wonders of this world with his family and friends. Some of the memories we cherish of him include: 4-H (oh the turkeys!), fishing, camping, hiking, hunting, dancing to country music, beekeeping, gardening, tractor rides, and spending slow evenings on the porch with him and a glass of iced tea. We dearly miss him.

We invite you to join us for his Celebration of Life on Friday, October 2nd at 2pm in Culpeper, Virginia. Please let Kari know if you plan to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.