James Trotter Foster

James (Jim) Trotter Foster, 76, passed away on August 11, 2020, in the loving care of his youngest daughter Susan and her husband Armand in their home in Garden Grove, California. Close friends and family surrounded him in his final days.

The first of two sons to Clifford Clarence Foster and Janet Elizabeth Ward, Jim, was born on October 3, 1943, in Buffalo, New York. He was exposed to prenatal rubella and born at just 4 pounds. Nevertheless, Jim grew to be strong and determined. In 1953, his parents headed from Detroit to Los Angeles for a better life. His father passed away when he was 12, and he was raised by his mother, who loved him dearly and was committed to Deaf children's education, including the use of sign language.

In 1963, Jim graduated from California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR). He valued his years there immersed in learning and Deaf culture. He gravitated toward math, engineering, and later computer science and all things history. It was at CSDR where he met and fell in love with Velia Luana Thomas, whom he married on April 12, 1969. Together they raised four children in Burbank, California.

Jim loved his children unconditionally and believed they could do whatever they set out to accomplish. He and Velia helped foster (pun intended) a powerful bond between their children as they embarked on countless family adventures.

Although Jim had a serious demeanor, he had a great sense of humor and loved a good joke. He was curious and always learning more about his friends, family, history, and the workings of the world. Jim was unapologetically himself, and his authenticity will always be admired.

Additionally, Jim had an unshakable pride and belief in Deaf culture and attended as many community events as possible. Greatly influenced by his engagement, it is not surprising that two of his children (James and Delia) ultimately became professional Sign Language Interpreters.

Jim had a robust set of interests, including sports, genealogy, and travel. As a sports fanatic, he always rooted for his teams with passion, especially when he watched one of his children or grandchildren play soccer. Due to his love of family and history, he spent countless hours researching and creating elaborate family trees. He even followed one ancestral line back to the 9th century!

Travel was a passion for Jim and he was always planning his next trip. He visited 20 countries in the last decade of his life with a good friend. He also visited 48 out of 50 states on countless road trips, and his daughter Anne promises to visit the last two in his memory (Alaska and Hawaii).

During the later years of his life, Jim had the good fortune to live close to his children and adored seeing his grandchildren grow and thrive. He leaves an extraordinary family legacy behind and we will miss him dearly.

Jim is survived by his former wife Velia, son James (wife Yoko), and daughters Delia (husband Sean), Anne (husband Sage), and Susan (husband Armand) along with his six cherished grandchildren, including Karlie (23), Breanne (20), Kaito (11), Yuto (8), Sedona (9), and Cora (7).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to California School for the Deaf, Riverside (CSDR) or to Deaf West Theatre