Gerald "Gerry"

Foster

Gerald "Gerry" H. Foster passed away December 16, 2015at his home in Brookings, Ore. of natural causes. He was 91 years old. Gerry was married to Leona Campbell for 47 years and they have two sons, Kurt and Mark. He was born April 13, 1924 in Kennewick, Wash. to Moses and Marie (Reese) Foster. Gerry grew up in Hood River, Ore. where he attended high school. He entered the ROTC program at the age of 17. He later enlisted in the US Navy and served during World War II as a Signalman which included service in Okinawa. Gerry married Leona Campbell following his military service. They lived in Portland, then moved to Eugene briefly before settling in Medford in 1961. He was a well respected business owner and operated G. H. Foster Wholesale Inc., a distributor of wholesale building materials. Gerry retired from that in 1985 and moved to Smith River, Calif. Leona preceded him in death in 1991. In 1992, Gerry married Helen Vines who has two daughters Sharon and Diana. Gerry and Helen enjoyed fishing, golfing, reading and traveling including snow-birding to Arizona, and cruises in 23 years together. Gerry loved the Oregon Ducks and woodworking. Gerry is survived by his wife, Helen, his children of Brookings, Ore.; sons, Kurt Foster (Vicki), Mark Foster (Margaret); grandchildren, Graham Foster, Wendy Foster, and Travis Foster; stepdaughters Sharon Montgomery (Steve) and Diana McCloskey (Richard), as well as grandchildren, Melissa Gehrke (Dave), Michele Strunk (Don), Casey Statton (Jason), Justin Montgomery (Melissa), Corey Vines, Adrienne Hodge (Aaron), Nicole Shipley (Dan), Brent Newberry (Emily), Clint McCloskey, Courtney McCloskey, Paul McCloskey, McKenzie Thompson (Andrew) and Brianne Rucker and 13 great-grandchildren from Helen's side of the family; sister, Doris Marra of Milwaukie, Ore. Gerry was preceded in death by step-daughter Cyndi Rucker. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Redwood Memorial Chapel, 1020 Fifield St. in Brookings. Redwood Memorial Chapel is assisting the family. Condolences may be expressed online at www.redwoodmemorial.net.