James Edward Foster

James Edward Foster, 75, was called home May 5, 2017 in Cortez where he had resided the past three years to be close to his children and grandchildren. Prior to living in Colorado, he was a lifelong resident of Lewisville, Ark. James was born in Lewisville, Ark. to William and Margaret (Ward) Foster on July 24, 1941. He enjoyed outdoor life including fishing, and hunting. He credited his Grandmother, Ethel Foster for teaching him the love of flowers and gardening. While working as a surveyor in Colorado he met his wife, Joyce Barnett. Three children, Joanie, Jimmy, and Jeanie were born of this union. James' work took the family to live in Utah, Colorado, Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Though his children grew up in Colorado, James brought them to Arkansas to spend every summer with him. He loved spending time with them fishing, picking the garden, and enjoying the company of friends and relatives. James was a loving and devoted son and grandson who cared for his parents and grandmother in their latter years. He loved spending time with his dogs. He loved working with his hands, creating and painting gifts for everyone he knew and donating them to those he didn't know. He enjoyed growing vegetables and flowers and trees. He missed Arkansas when he moved to Colorado, but felt God had placed him in a wild life sanctuary where he befriended deer, birds and a host of wild life. He dearly missed his Arkansas friends, but he loved seeing his children and grandchildren and made many new friends in the short time he spent in Colorado. James had a great passion for the love of Christ and for being a faithful witness to all who crossed his path. James is preceded in death by his parents, William and Margaret (Ward) Foster; one brother, Weldon Foster; and two sisters, Mary Lou McDonald and Patricia Tobey. James is survived by his children, Joanie Espinoza and husband, Jimmy Stuckman, Jimmy Foster and wife, Donna, daughter, Jeanie Wilkin and husband, Danny; nine grandchildren, Ricky James Espinoza, Jessica Espinoza, Kimberly Ruiz, Tiffany Foster, Rebecca Foster, Amanda Winter, Dominique Hancock, Tanya Wallace and Kambria Wilkin; 17 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; a beloved nephew, Wallace Jr. Foster along with many loved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 13, 2017 at 10 a.m. in Stamps, Ark. at the Smith Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Mount Nebo Cemetery.