J. Duane Foster

Calling Hours (only 10 at a time), Friday, October 2, 2020 from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith. Celebration Service at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive flowers at the church.

Deacon J. Duane Colin Foster was born October 31, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio to Jackie Smith (Father) and Eleanor Foster (Mother). Duane was in the arms of his loving wife when he transitioned from Earth to Glory on Friday, September 25, 2020.

Duane was a graduate of Beechcroft High School, class of 1989. To no surprise, Duane participated in the school choir. He attended Fort Hayes Career Center in the Radio and Television Program.

After graduating high school, Duane served in the United States Army in the Persian Gulf from 1989 to 1993. In addition, he served in the Air National Guard from 1995 to 2007. Duane’s enlisted rank was Army Sergeant E-5.

Duane was stationed stateside and overseas. He toured Korea, and Operation Desert Storm, popularly known as the first Gulf War and code-named Operation Desert Shield (Iraq). Duane proudly served his country until he was honorably discharged.

In August 1985, Duane met Hope Celeste Harrison at New Life Apostolic Church in Columbus, Ohio under the leadership of Pastor Gerald Smith. Duane and Hope were faithful members and lead singers in the Youth and Mass Choirs.

With parental guidance Duane and Hope began to date and later married on June 30, 1990. The couple recently celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary. To this union, two wonderful children were birthed. Dolan Colin (92) in Pennsylvania and Amanda E’lane (97) in Maryland. 

In August 1990, Duane received military orders to report to Fort Ritchie at Cascade, Maryland. During this stateside tour, Duane and Hope joined New Life Pentecostal Ministries in Baltimore, Maryland under the leadership of Bishop Roan Faulkner.

Duane served as Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Member of the Worship Team and Mass Choir together with his lovely wife, Hope. This husband and wife duo sang at conventions, local churches, weddings, funerals, and social gatherings. 

In April 2006, Duane and Hope joined New Covenant Believers’ Church and were very active in the ministry. They both enjoyed singing together on the Worship Team. Later, Duane joined the Deacons Board. Duane was always passionate and faithful in meeting his deacon duties.

Deacon Duane gave cheerfully to the church according to the scriptures (Corinthians 9:7). He demonstrated community commitment by volunteering to participate in the African American Male Wellness Walk, Meals to the Homeless Program, and Point-of-Contact for the Eastwood Villa Community. Duane found ways to donate his time and/or resources to help those in need. Deacon Duane humbly learned “the secret to living is giving.”

In August 2008, Duane graduated from Park University at the Defense Supply Center, Columbus (DSCC) in Columbus, Ohio. He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration / Law Enforcement.

In July 2009, Duane was employed by the DSCC – Quality Monitoring Assurance Control (QMAC) Surface Cell Division. He relished being challenged by his work. Duane believed that the scriptures encouraged individuals to find enjoyment in their work, for it is the gift of God (Ecclesiastes 3:13).

Deacon Duane lived a well-balanced lifestyle and he was valiant and full of vigor. He loved music and some of his favorite gospel artists were Fred Hammond and Commissioned. Furthermore, Duane collected baseball cards, and visited numerous sporting events.

Duane was an enthusiastic fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes, Brooklyn Nets, and Detroit Tigers. He was also a Baltimore Ravens fanatic. His hobbies consisted of reading Comic Books, watching Jeopardy, and laughing out loud at Comedy Shows.

Deacon Duane was a great husband who loved his wife just as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25). Duane was a great father and grandfather who spent quality time with his children and grandchildren and raised them up in the context of the Bible (Proverbs 22:6); as all Scripture is breathed by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

On many occasions, Duane and his son, Dolan spent time learning wrestling techniques. Quite often, Duane and his daughter, Amanda would “scout out” new dining facilities. Duane and his family were frequent travelers and Gold Members on the Disney Cruise Line.

Deacon J. Duane Colin Foster was preceded in death by grandfather, William (Sonny); grandmother, Elma Smith; great aunt, Erma Ware, uncles, David Milton Scott, Kelvin Scott, and Darrell Foster.

Celebrating Duane’s legacy and cherishing his memory includes the love of his life, best friend, and wife, Hope Foster; loving children, Dolan (Kiesha) and Amanda Foster, Godson, Colin (Sarah) Easton; grandchildren, Kamora and Kamden Foster (Peanut Butter and Jelly), Kaliyah Berry, Milah “Button” Calhoun and Dominique McCall; father, Jackie (Pat) Smith; mother Eleanor (Delbert) Scott; grandmother, Gladys Foster; siblings, Jabarr “Larky” Haskins, Drucilla (Andre) Summerall, Dr. Christopher Scott, Sr. Chief Yoeman Derrick Scott, and Darnell Scott; aunts and uncles, Shirley Griffin, Reverend Harry Smith, Marva James, Janice Harris, Sandra Foster, Donna Wiley, William Foster, and Roosevelt Foster; Mother-In-Law, Dr. Robin Holliman-Smith, Father-in-Laws, Paul Holliman; Anthony (Lillian) Harrison; Grandmothers (In-Laws), Estella Bass, Cassie Williams, Sister-in-Law, Tracie Harrison; Brother-in-Laws,  Riccardo Bailey and Ross Holliman and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Special Cousin; Troy Davis. Special friends; Davon Osbourne, Shamon Stone, Eric Sappington, Joseph Lopez, Marcus Mitchell, Tony Tyson, Kerry Thomas and Benji Harriel.  

Arrangements by WHITE’S FUNERAL AND CREMATION SERVICES, 867 S. JAMES ROAD, COLS, OH  43227, BENJAMIN F. “BENNY” WHITE, JR, FUNERAL DIRECTOR, (614)947-1123, whitesfh867.com.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of J. Duane Foster, please visit our floral store.