Gerald "Jerry" Ray Foster

GERALD RAY FOSTER

”JERRY”

   Gerald Ray Foster, aged 87, of Puyallup, passed peacefully from this earthly life on June 7, 2025. Jerry reminisced often about his happy childhood growing up in Pocatello, Idaho, having been born into a close-knit family of four boys and one girl to parents William Henry and Helen Hawkes Foster, on August 2, 1937. He loved hunting, fishing, and adventures with his friends, neighbors, and cousins. As a dedicated Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1951. After graduating from Pocatello High School in 1955, he received an appointment to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and was commissioned as an Ensign upon graduation in 1959. He went on to earn his pilot wings from the Naval Aviation Flight School in 1961.

   As a search and rescue pilot, Jerry flew both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters at air stations off the coasts of Hawaii, Alaska, and California. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology in 1971 and served as a C-130 Program Manager at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He retired from active duty with the rank of Commander in 1979, and was awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Medal bestowed for meritorious achievement during the time he served.

   Jerry met his lifelong sweetheart and companion, Ursula (Sue) Kaiser, while a student at the Academy in New London, Connecticut. They spent part of their courtship halfway across the country from each other, as Sue attended BYU in Provo, Utah for a year until Jerry graduated (Cadets were not permitted to wed), but they were finally sealed in marriage in the Idaho Falls Temple on June 15, 1959. This year they celebrated 66 years of marriage. 

   The couple lived a typical military life, moving frequently all over the country, regularly adding a child or two with each new assignment: David in Seattle, Debbie and Becky in Hawaii, James in San Mateo, CA, Mark in Dayton, OH; and culminating with the additions of Katie and Meeja in Waldorf, MD.

   Military retirement brought Jerry and the family to the beautiful Pacific Northwest shortly after the eruption of Mt. St. Helens to continue his career in aviation with The Boeing Company. His position as a Spares Engineer in Customer Service allowed him to interface with many of the world’s airlines. His international travels were extensive and frequent, and Sue even tagged along to some notable places: Israel, Italy, England, France, Germany, and Korea. He thoroughly enjoyed this unique and rewarding career, but welcomed a well-earned retirement in 2002.

   Jerry was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He served in many capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, including Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Bishop, Counselor in the Stake Presidency, and Stake Patriarch.  He directed the Puyallup South Stake FamilySearch Center with his wife for many years. Together they researched their family history and visited their ancestors’ birth and death places in Great Britain, Germany, France, and Albania.

   Perhaps the closest to heaven Jerry felt in his earthly life was when he and Sue were able to serve a full-time mission from January 2017 through June 2018 in Salt Lake City. They were assigned to assist patrons at the Family History Library of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Jerry served on the British Floor—the area of his own ancestors—while Sue served patrons on the International Floor.

   Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Sue; his seven children: David of Tacoma, WA; Deborah Taylor (James, deceased) of Puyallup, WA; Rebecca Bean (Matt) of Macomb, IL; James (Michael) of Des Moines, WA; Mark (Anjo) of Shoreline, WA; Katie of Puyallup, WA; and Meeja Fortie (Scott) of Riverton, UT; along with ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His beloved siblings Amy Hatten (John) of American Fork, UT, and Paul Foster (Cathy) of Nampa, ID, as well as many nieces and nephews also survive him. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry Foster and Helen Hawkes Foster, brothers William Richard and James Brent, and grandson Corey Taylor.

   A memorial service is planned for Saturday, June 28th, 11 am, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 13420 94th Ave E in Puyallup. A private graveside ceremony with military honors will follow.  

We invite friends and family to join the live stream of the memorial service at: 

https://www.southhillstake.org/funeral-foster

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or another Humanitarian Aid organization of your choice. https://donate.churchofjesuschrist.org/contribute/church/humanitarian-services/humanitarian-aid-fund?cde2=475