Obituary of David Anderson Foster Jr.

With gratitude to God for a long life well lived, we announce the passing of David Anderson Foster, Jr. our dear father, step-father, grandfather and sweet “Pops,” on July 31, 2020, the anniversary of his marriage to his beloved and late wife, Dianne. Pops died from complications related to pneumonia at the assisted living community where he lived, English Meadows in Warrenton, VA. He would have been 91 years old on September 10. He now joins his wife, dear Audrey Dianne Schmidley, who died on March 24, 2017 in Arlington, VA.  Born in Lakeland, Florida to Pola and David Foster, Sr., David grew up along the east coast, where his father’s career with the ACL railroad dictated.  He graduated from Wilmington High School in Wilmington, NC. Dad served in the Army from 1950 until 1953. In 1954 he met and married Nancy Carolyn Parry.  They had four children, David (deceased), Robert (Arlene), Julie (Kenny) and Timothy (Emily) and 8 grandchildren. Their marriage ended in divorce.  David graduated from University of North Carolina in 1965 and continued his career with Western Electric and subsequently a long career with AT&T.  After leaving AT&T in 1982, David married Dianne Schmidley, adding beloved “bonus” children to his life:  Richard (Wendy), Connie (Bill) and John Eric and 6 more grandchildren. David earned a Masters from Trinity University and soon became an Employee Assistance Counselor, a new career that brought him much joy.  Additionally, David worked for the Patent Office in Crystal City, Virginia, utilizing his engineering gifts.  David lived a full life and helped many people along the way.  He was known as a man of deep faith and commitment to God, contributing to each church choir along the way as well as senior warden on the vestry.  David will be laid to rest on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 1pm, Columbia Gardens, located at 3411 Arlington Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201.  You are welcome to join us in the garden for a small reception after the burial (socially distanced and/or wearing masks).  In lieu of flowers please consider donating to a place that took great care of David:  English Meadows, Warrenton Campus in David’s name.  Their address is 239 Alexandria Pike, Warrenton, VA.