Danny Jackson Foster
Columbiana

Danny Jackson Foster born Feb. 25, 1957 in Columbiana, knocked on the Pearly Gates of Heaven Tuesday, Oct. 17.

St. Peter opened the door and asked why he was here so soon, to which Danny likely replied, “If you wanted to hear one of my jokes about you in person, a phone call would have worked just fine.”

A fine Auburn man who lived his life by the Auburn Creed, Danny earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from Auburn University in 1980. During his time at Auburn University, Danny played the tenor sax in the Auburn University Marching Band from 1975-1979. Danny co-wrote the Shelby County High School fight song still played today.

Prior to working in the wood industry for 34 years, Danny held many unique jobs, including working as a meat cutter, vacuum salesman, Bible salesman, boll weevil counter, butter factory worker, tomato plant deliverer, grass cutter and longshoreman forklift driver as needed. Danny served as Vice President of Ihlo Sales and Import Company for the past 25 years where his expertise included international marketing of wood products, importer of Blue Mountain Meranti plywood from Malaysia, importer of high end prosperwood birch from China, established Madenorte as the Brazilian high quality plywood standard and was a high quality exotic fancy plywood specialist. Danny was a member of the Center Noon Lions Club and was the past president in 1997, and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Center, Texas.

Danny was an excellent cook and loved to serve anyone his favorite dishes – BBQ Shrimp New Orleans style was a favorite specialty. A jack of all trades and an avid historian, Danny had a story about any subject and loved to share his passion for living life to the fullest.

Danny leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Andi (Johnston); two children, Dr. Alison Slade (David) of Spanish Fort and Matt Foster (Brittany) of Center, Texas; sister, Melissa Denney (Tom) of Auburn; brother, Jeff Foster of Columbiana; and two nephews, Trey Denney (Sara) of Minneapolis, Minnesota and Foster Denney of Auburn.

Big Daddy also leaves behind seven grandchildren, whom he adored and cherished. Big Daddy had special names for all his babies: Austin Miller (Otis), Andrew Miller (Rufus), Lola Slade (Caledonia), Cora Slade (Sadie), Colton Slade (Slick), Roman Foster (RoRo) and Ivy Foster (Gertrude).

Danny was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles Eugene Bozeman, Ada Moore Bozeman, Charles Oliver Foster and Sadie Farr Foster; his parents, Lewis Mack Foster and Flora Mae Foster; and his grandson, Gabriel John Slade.

Danny also leaves behind a vast number of relatives and friends worldwide.

Danny had a heart of gold and his giving and loving nature did not end with his death. Danny was an organ donor and was able to save and change the lives of many, which he would not brag about to anyone but we sure think it is an amazing, selfless act that he lives on in others.

Danny was one of the most giving and amazing people to grace this world. Anyone who met him loved him and his ability to share his humor, wit and wisdom with all he encountered.

Services for Danny Foster were held on Friday, Oct. 20 at 12 p.m. with Rev. Karen Jones followed by a visitation at First United Methodist Church of Center, Texas under the direction of Watson Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Dan Johnston, Wayne May, Leroy Newman, Dr. Keith Miller, Jim Sawyer and Roy Blackshear. Honorary pallbearers were the Center Noon Lions Club of Center, Texas.

Visitation was also held on Monday, Oct. 23 at Good Hope Methodist Church in Columbiana from 12-2 p.m. with a graveside service immediately following at Williams Cemetery in the Kingdom Community under the direction of Bolton’s Funeral Home with Rev. Marvin McCormick.

Pallbearers included Trey Denney, Foster Denney, Jimmy Ray Bozeman, Terry Wayne Bozeman, Mike Blackwell and Bruce Russell.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to any of the following: Williams Cemetery Fund c/o of Good Hope Methodist Church, 2735 CR 61, Columbiana, Alabama, 35051; Alan R. Dimick Burn Care Fund, UAB Gift Records, Admin. Building 1230, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, Alabama, 35294-0112; Center Noon Lions Club, c/o Jim Sawyer, Shelby Savings Bank, 111 Selma St., Center, Texas, 75935; or First United Methodist Church of Center, 211 Porter Street, Center, Texas, 75935.