Ira Foster

Ira Junior (Jim) Foster of Smithville, Texas, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, July 7, 2013. Visitation will be on Friday 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at All Faiths of the Pines Funeral Home, Smithville, Texas. A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church, Smithville, Texas, Saturday, July 13, at 1:00 p.m.
Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park, Des Moines, Iowa, at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, July 17.

Ira Junior Foster was born on December 2, 1927, to Ira W. and Rebecca (Marrs) Foster, in Merced, California. He was united in marriage to Mary Evelyn (Schoonover) in Des Moines, Iowa on July 9, 1949 (deceased), and to Willie Mae (Pharis) in Smithville, Texas on October 5, 2011.

Jim served in the United States Army, with active service during the Korean Conflict. He worked for over 30 years as a Journeyman Printer for Meredith Corporation, Des Moines, Iowa. In Des Moines he was an active member of Wakonda Christian Church, and was also active in the Masons and Independent Order of Foresters. After moving to San Antonio he worked as Head Pressman for Bible Study Fellowship. He also worked, in his spare time, in home remodeling and repair. In San Antonio he was an active member and Deacon of Castle Hills First Baptist Church and served as a Deacon. Upon his and wife Mary's retirement in September of 1995, they volunteered their services with RVICS (Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service). They permanently retired to the RVICS Village, Smithville, Texas in 2006.

Jim was a very active member of First Baptist Church, Smithville, serving the Lord as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and leader for the Seniors Group. Every year he looked forward to the Deacons of First Baptist's fishing trip to the Gulf. His love for Jesus Christ was very real, and he lived it every day of his life. That love, coupled with his personal relationship with Christ and his solid foundation of faith, is a beautiful legacy for his children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Family was very important to Jim and he loved spending time with them whenever possible. He was affectionately known as Dad, Daddy, Grandpa, Grandpa Jim, and Uncle Junior. He enjoyed lending a helping hand to anyone who needed one, traveling and camping in his RV, playing cards and '42' with family and friends, yard work, repairing whatever needed fixing, and watching sports on TV.

Jim was a sweet, loving, strong, and giving man, but could be ornery and full of mischief. He will be deeply missed by his immediate and extended families, his church family, and friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Mary (February 5, 2010), his parents, Ira W. and Rebecca Foster, and siblings James, Forrest, Chester, Farrell, Charles, Virgil, and Virginia (Johnston). He is survived by his wife, Willie Mae, his children, Stephen Foster (Linda), San Antonio, Texas, Barbara Young (Ron), Davenport, Iowa, and Deborah Coburn (Jim), Shenandoah, Iowa; two step-children, Kevin (Becky) Brooks and Linda Burns, Austin, Texas; ten grandchildren, Jennifer (Young) Hensley, Ronda (Young) Whitcanack, Stephen S. Young, Jeffrey Foster, Andrea (Foster) Mack, James Coburn, William Coburn, Kellie (Lowe) Coburn, Jacob Coburn, and Alexander Coburn; four step-grandchildren, Patrick Burns, Julie Muegge, Chad Brooks, and Clint Brooks; nine great-grandchildren, and six step-great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Sara (Farrell) Foster, and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by All Faiths of the Pines, 110 American Legion Rd., Smithville, TX 78957; 512-237-3836