Dean Foster

Dean LeRoy Foster was born in Belmond on Jan. 31, 1958, to Gerald and Norma (Swain) Foster. He died in Jefferson on June 25 at the age of 62.

Visitation was held July 1 at the Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home.

A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 2 in the Junction Twp. Cemetery, Grand Junction, with words of comfort by Bill Allen, lay leader, of First Baptist Church, Jefferson.

Graveside military rites will be given by the United States Army Honor Guard, Jefferson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9599 and Floyd Brown American Legion Post 11. 

Dean attended Bismarck High School in Bismarck, Ark., and graduated in the Class of 1976. 

After high school, Dean attended college at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Ark. In May of 1980, Dean entered the Army through the ROTC program, where he served 12 years and attained the rank of captain before being discharged to serve in the Reserves in July of 1992, upon which he attained the rank of major.

During his time in the Army, he participated in both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

He also met and married Beth Lucinda “Cindy” Rhoades.  They had two children: Anna Helfen (née Foster) and Christopher Adam Foster.

Dean began civilian life by working as a store manager before moving on to drive a semi for many years. He founded his own trucking company, A Friend Trucking, aptly named because he enjoyed answering the phone, “You’ve got a friend!” He enjoyed the open road, meeting new people and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone in need. His dog, Random, was his faithful traveling companion for many years. 

After retiring from trucking, Dean went to work for a local farmer, Dennis Murphy, assisting with chores, farming, cattle and transporting of grain.

Dean’s health eventually kept him from working. He was retired at the time of his death.

Dean is survived by his children: Anna (Allen) Helfen and Christopher Adam Foster, both of Ohio; his mother, Norma Pollock, and stepfather, Ron Pollock, of Jefferson; brother Robert Foster, of Germany; stepsiblings Robin Pollock, of North Carolina; Terri (Joel) Tiffany, of Grand Junction; and Ron (Heather) Pollock Jr., of Jefferson; and nephews Benjamin Foster and Alexander Foster; Tyler Tiffany; Keyden Pollock; and niece Gabby Pollock; and other family and friends.

Dean was predeceased by his brother, Alan Foster; his father, Gerald Foster; and grandparents.