Jimmie JL Foster
11/9/1933 — 10/17/2019
A Life Remembered
Obituary
Jimmie JL Foster, 85, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 17 th , 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born to John Elliot Foster and Lillian May Robinson in Amherst, Texas in 1933. Jim led a very happy, active life filled with faith, family, friends and many activities, such as: serving his church, volunteering at the temple, playing and refereeing basketball and volleyball and dancing the jitterbug.
In 1964, Jim married the love of his life, Patsy Lue, at the Mesa Arizona Temple. They lived out adventures across the country, relocating several times as Jim’s aeronautical engineering career flourished. He developed the B52 wing launch system for the Sky Bolt Missile project for the Airforce and then went into the private sector. There he was an innovator and lead engineer in the development and implementation of many of the autopilot and auto landing systems used in commercial and government planes over the past 50 years as they progressed from analog to digital and then to GPS based systems. Through these efforts he likely helped save the lives of countless airline passengers around the world. He was declared Engineer of the year by Rockwell International Inc when he worked for them.
Jim and Patsy celebrated over 40 years together before Patsy passed away in 2003. Along the way, they raised their seven children, Gary Foster, Brian Foster, Sheryl Andrew, Allen Foster, David Foster, Diane Stephens and Kevin Foster. All seven children succeed him and look to carry out his traditions. His legacy will also continue through his 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Known for his playful sense of humor, unparalleled work ethic, practical disposition and faith-based principals, he will be missed by all. Jim was a man of many talents, as he demonstrated that he could fix anything. He is an inspiration to all that survive him.
The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 2 nd 2019 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 2955 E. Frye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85048, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service at 10:00 am. Flowers may be sent to Bunkers Garden Chapel, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ 85201.
Service Details
Gatherings in remembrance
Visitation
Saturday, November 2, 2019 · 10:00 AM
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Lakewood Ward, 2955 E. Frye Road, Phoenix, AZ 85048
Service
Saturday, November 2, 2019 · 11:00 AM
Messages of Love
From family and friends
Provided by
Bunker Family Funerals & Cremation