John Lewis Foster

John Lewis Foster was born on August 20, 1929, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Lewis Maloney Foster and Mayme Juanita Thompson Foster.  He was affectionately known as Sonny or Snake by family and friends.

He was educated in the Philadelphia Public Schools and graduated from Overbrook High School.  John enlisted into the U.S. Army and served from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War.  

On November 21, 1951, within 2 days of leaving for his military service in Germany, he married Viola Jean Blackwell.  God blessed their union with three children, Thomas "Kicker", Patsy and Jeannie.  Together they shared 65 years of marriage until Jean's death in March 2017.

Upon his return from serving his Country, John became a Longshoreman on the waterfronts of Philadelphia's Delaware River. He was a bulldozer operator for the Sugar House, currently where the Sugar House Casino is located.

John was a "jack of all trades and a master at many".  He could do anything he put his mind to and was very meticulous in all that he did. He loved working with his hands.  After all the children left home he remodeled our entire childhood house located on Ithan St in Philadelphia.  

He was a Scout Master for Troop 16 out of the White Rock Baptist Church in West Philadelphia where he maintained membership until his move to West Chester and failing health.  He was a talented woodworker and made numerous items while in the Southeastern Veteran Center from December 2008 until his death. 

John had an avid interest in horses.  He loved to ride, attend the Devon Horse Show annually and work with his friend, Sonny Hicks showing antique carriages and show horses.

John peacefully departed this life on Monday, November 16, 2020 at the age of 91, at the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City, PA.

John is survived by a son, Thomas W. Foster (Luna) of West Chester; 2 daughters, Patsy A. Barnett (Donald) of King of Prussia, Viola J. Cunningham (George) of Exton; 3 sisters, Thomasine Foster, Juanita Thompson (William) and Gertrude Burks;  7 grandchildren: Dionna N. Harris (Omar), Vincent M. Annerhed-Harris (Karin), John L. Foster, II (Tiffany), Whitnee M. Williams, Monique N. Hankins (Orlando), Edward A. Williams, Jr., Dominique S. Foster; 8 great-grandchildren: Morgan, A. Miller, Ashley B. Harris, Barry O. Harris, Aaron T. Foster, Avery Foster, Maya E. Annerhed-Harris, Maxx V. Annerhed-Harris, Lilly Ann Hankins,  2 sisters in law Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell and Dorothy Blackwell and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A walk-through viewing will be held at 4:00 PM on Friday, November 20, 2020 at Wright Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc., 725 Merchant Street in Coatesville, PA. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the funeral service will be held privately with limited seating for the immediate family only.

The service can be viewed on this link. 

Interment with military honors will be held in Mount Lawn Cemetery, 84th Street and Hook Rd, Sharon Hill, Pa 19079, immediately following the family services. 

Friends and family may share condolences at the guestbook link on this memorial page.

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