Roneld "Randy" D. Foster Jr.

Roneld “Randy”Dean Foster Jr was born August 31, 1955, in Mena, Arkansas, to Ronald Sr and Norma Foster. He passed on from this life on February 9, 2023, at the age of 68. Randy was a 1972 graduate of Russellville High School and of Arkansas Tech University in 1976 with a degree and highest honors in Computer Science. He began working at Baldor in 1976 after college and continued to work there until his retirement in 2017. Through his work and life, he was well-travelled. He had opportunities to see many places across the country and around the world. He married his wife, Lori, in 1983, and with that came a step-son, Richard. In 1986, Randy and Lori welcomed into the world a son of their own, Robert. In recent years, he became a grandfather to three exceptional girls. Randy was typically a man of few words. That is unless you got him talking about computers or other advances in technology. Randy could talk about a HDMI cord or a new computer processor all day. His work career mirrored the other consistencies in his life. Randy knew exactly what he liked and he wasn’t what anyone would consider adventurous. Hamburgers come with mustard. Mexican means tacos. Donuts are plain. Italian means spaghetti. He always ordered the same thing at Cracker Barrel: country ham, mashed potatoes, and pinto beans. He liked Dr Pepper, but even more if it was Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper. Randy loved what he loved. Foremost was God and his family. He was a loyal husband, father, brother, uncle, son, and Pop Pop. He worked to maintain his home and was often tinkering with something. Randy absolutely loved to tinker, to fix things, and understand how they work. His son, Robert, famously said, “My dad knows everything about everything”. Often, he did. Long before all of us carried a phone with a camera with us, Randy could be found with a camera in his hands everywhere. It was what he did. His family often tried to dodge all the pictures he would take. And Randy kept clicking. He documented the lives and events of the people he loved. He captured memories everyone else might forget. Randy treasured those moments and saved them for everyone. He often described himself as a nerd. He was on yearbook in high school and turned the family bathroom into a darkroom. Don’t let the nerd fool you. He did enjoy Star Wars and Star Trek, but he loved to laugh. He loved movies. Randy was happy to join along on all the family shenanigans even if he might not partake in all of the things they did. Randy leaves a legacy of kindness and humility. He was an active member of Massard Missionary Baptist Church and always making himself available to help others. Randy was a true man of God. He emulated the life of Christ in how he lived each day and that was his witness.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Norma Foster.

He is survived by his wife, Lori, and son, Robert, of Fort Smith; son and his wife, Richard and Jessica Rackley of Hector, and his three grandchildren: Aubree, Mackenzie, and Lyla. He is also survived by his father, Ronald Sr and his wife, Beth, of Russellville; Rebecca Settel and her husband, Alan, of Ellijay, Ga; James Foster of Russellville; and a sister, Leigh Palmer and her husband Nick of Hot Springs. Additionally, he is survived by a loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Alzheimer’s Association or Massard Missionary Baptist Church.