Jr. 1st Sgt Ret James B. Foster

1 Sgt (Ret) James Bynum Foster, Jr, 64, of Statesville, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2013, at Gordon Hospice House. Sgt. Foster was born in Wilkes County on October 2, 1948 to the late James Bynum Foster, Sr., and Josephine Church Foster. He was a graduate of North Wilkes High School Class of 1966. Sgt. Foster joined the U.S. Army in July of 1968, being stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC for his basic training. He was in A.I.T in Ft. McClellan, Al and attended Scout Dog Training in Ft. Benning, GA. After training, he was assigned to the 46 Infantry Platoon Scout Dog, 25 Infantry Division in Vietnam in 1969. He served two tours in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 with his Scout Dog, "Buster". The last five years of his 20 year tour, he assumed the position of Company First Sergeant with C Company, 6 Battalion, 502 Infantry with the Berlin Brigade in Berlin, Germany. While serving in the U.S. Army, he received the Air Medal, Bronze Star, Metorus Service Medal, and Air Medal along with several other awards and decorations. Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, Sgt. Foster worked for and retired from Wilson Security and he was a member of South River Baptist Church. Sgt. Foster is survived by one brother, Larry S. Foster (Wanda) of Wilkesboro, his longtime special friend, Mary Sigmon of Statesville, two cousins, Linda Church Dancy and David Higgins, two nephews, Larry Paul Foster and Donnie Lee Foster, one great-niece, Kayla Marie Foster and two great-nephews, Jesse Lee and Seth Lukas Foster, all of Wilkesboro. A graveside funeral service with full military honors will be conducted 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 25, 2013, in the N. Wilkesboro City Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Chris Thompson officiating. The family will visit with friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Nicholson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of 1 Sgt (Ret) James B. Foster, Jr.