James Okala Foster January 11, 1941 – September 5, 2026

James Okala “Jim” Foster, 85, passed away on September 5, 2026, leaving behind a family he loved fiercely, a lifetime of stories and laughter, and more friends than could ever be counted.

Jim was born on January 11, 1941, to Okala “Mike” Foster and Virginia Adeline Foster. He lost his beloved mother when he was just 10 years old, a loss that remained a meaningful part of his story throughout his life. He grew up alongside six brothers and was preceded in death by five of them: Bob, Beryl, Pete, Jack, and Harold. He is survived by his brother, Bill, as well as a myriad of nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

As a young man, Jim proudly served his country in the United States Navy, beginning his career as a Boiler Technician. After leaving the Navy and marrying the love of his life, Dora, Jim began what would become a lifetime defined by hard work, determination, and providing for the people he loved.

He worked as a Produce Manager for Giant Food, and because one job apparently wasn't enough for Jim, he also worked part-time jobs at McDonald's, drove a taxi, and even did gutter repairs—complete with the unforgettable slogan, “Our Minds are in the Gutter.” He was never afraid of hard work and did whatever was necessary to take care of his growing family. He later continued his career at the Washington Navy Yard and the National Institutes of Health. After moving his family to Sterling, Virginia, Jim went to work for the Federal Aviation Administration in Leesburg.

A back injury eventually forced him to leave the FAA, but anyone who knew Jim knew that sitting still wasn't exactly his style. He went on to start his own business, JFEC Engineering Corporation, where he built a successful career replacing boilers, chillers, and cooling towers, securing numerous contracts in buildings throughout Washington, D.C. As the company grew, Jim later expanded JFEC to include a plumbing division.

Jim was also an inventor and a man ahead of his time, obtaining a patent for his AM/PM Sentry, a dial-up system that remotely monitored HVAC equipment long before personal computers became part of everyday life.

But Jim's life was about far more than where he worked.

His greatest pride was his family. He shared nearly 65 years of marriage with the love of his life, Dora Foster. Through all the years, all the changes, and all the adventures, his love for Dora remained at the center of his life.

He was a devoted father to his two girls, Sherri Foster Craft and her husband, Rob, and Sandra Foster Davis and her husband, Scott, as well as a loving foster father to Eric and Gayle Secher, and many other “Foster” children, including all of his nieces and nephews, their spouses and children whom he loved dearly.

He was a proud grandfather to Brandon Craft and his wife, Erin; Heather Craft and her soon-to-be husband, Dr. Cameron Brown; David Craft and his wife, Olivia; Alexandra Zalegowski and her husband, Nathan; Alaina Poindexter; and bonus granddaughters Ashley Reedy and her husband, James; and Caitlyn Shuck and her husband, Aidan.

His family continued to grow with his beloved great-granddaughters, Magnolia and Holly, and bonus great-grandson, Tucker, plus two more on the way.

Perhaps there was never a more fitting last name for Jim than Foster. He was a great friend to all and lived up to the Foster name well. Family was never limited to names on a family tree for Jim. His life was filled with people he loved, people who loved him, and friendships that became family along the way.

Jim loved an adventure and was always ready to have some fun. Playing sports was a big part of his life. He connected closely with his two sons-in-law, enjoying time on the water, boating and jet skiing with Robert. He loved golf and enjoyed many golf trips over the years with his son-in-law Scott. More than anything he loved the lake house and spending fun times with his Grandchildren, their friends as well as his niece Michelle Bane (Ed) and boys Austin & Tyler (Rachel) creating plenty of stories and memories along the way. He also enjoyed hunting with his brothers and nephews. His two sisters-in law Patty Foster & Rosa Lee Richards (Tom) and brother-in-law Lewis Jellie were always a part of the fun.

In their earlier years, Jim and Dora enjoyed riding their motorcycle together, one of many adventures the two would share throughout their long marriage. Later in life, their adventures continued through travel and time spent living in their RV together in Florida. Wherever they went, the best part was that they were doing it together.

Jim wasn't one to let age get in the way of having a good time, either. He played senior softball as a member of the “Retreads,” another chapter that perfectly reflected his love of sports, friendship, and simply being part of the fun.

Jim was fun and had great humor. He loved people, and people loved him. He was generous with his friendship, quick with a laugh, and always ready with a story. If Jim considered you one of his people, you knew it.

Jim worked hard, played hard, loved deeply, and built a life that others could only hope to experience. Above everything else, he loved his family. He took care of his girls, adored the family that grew around him, treasured his many friendships, and remained forever in love with Dora.

His absence leaves an enormous space in the lives of those who loved him, but so does the life he lived: 85 years of family, friendship, hard work, adventures, laughter, stories, and love.

And what a life it was.