of Van Buren, AR

May 15, 1952 - May 28, 2024

Charles Edward Foster, 72, a resident of Van Buren died Tuesday, May 28, 2024 in Fort Smith.

He was the son of Walter H. Foster and Francis McBride. Charles lived in Scranton and graduated in 1971 at Scranton High School. He lived there until he was 21, then moved to Barling until he was 24. After his time in Barling, Charles moved to Ada, Oklahoma where he lived for 23 years and worked as an office manager for a branch of the Fort Smith Paper Company. Charles moved to Paris in 2002 and back to Barling in 2010, where he stayed until moving to Van Buren in 2023. Charles graduated in 1999 from East Central University (ECU) in Ada, Oklahoma with a Bachelors Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. Starting in 2000, Charles tried for his Masters degree before his health problems developed and forced him to quit school in 2001, with a semester of classes and a semester of internship left in his program. In addition, Charles made the Dean's Honor Roll every semester from 1995 to his graduate program in 2001 with a GPA of 3.47. Charles also received the Lowell E. Green Scholarship, Human Resources Spirit Award and Human Resources Scholarship Award in 1999; all three being granted due to his leadership and active involvement in community and campus activities. Also, during his time at ECU, Charles was president of the ECU Student Chapter of Oklahoma Rehabilitation Counseling Association, president and treasurer of the Human Resources Club, coordinator of the National Depression Screening Day on the ECU campus and coordinator of the National Alcohol Screening Day on campus. Additionally, Charles was the coordinator and producer of the Human Resources Summer Jam Benefit Concert for two years, which all proceeds went towards the annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner that fed up to 1500 people, co-coordinator of Ada Area Community Infrastructure Survey and Federal Government Grant Project 1996 and 1998.

Charles volunteered for several community events, such as the Human Resources Community Dinner, Boys and Girls Club Basketball and Baseball in Paris, Arkansas and Ada, Oklahoma, Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, Special Olympics Hugger and Guide, co-coordinator and treasurer of the South Central Oklahoma CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder) Chapter, producer/editor of a video to present the City of Ada Chamber of Commerce to procure a handicap swing for the city park playground for children in wheel chairs and co-managing editor and publisher of an internet web resource book for rehab counselors.

In addition to service to his community, Charles was a member of the National Rehabilitation Association (NRA), Oklahoma Rehabilitation Association (ORA), National Rehabilitation Counseling Association (NRCA), Oklahoma Rehabilitation Counseling Association (ORCA) and the Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment Association (VEWAA). Charles was devoted in helping people with disabilities to improve their standard and quality of living.

In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a brother, Gene Foster.

He is survived by two children, Justin Charles Foster of Sherwood and Michelle Renee' Foster of Zavala, Texas and five grandchildren. Charles was also survived by a sister, Wanda Jane Young of Scranton; an aunt, Wanda Koenigseder of Scranton; an uncle, Dub Hamilton of Scranton; as well as several cousins, two nieces and one nephew.

Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Ellsworth Cemetery near Subiaco with Rev. Kenny Thompson officiating under the direction of Roller Funeral Home in Paris.

Pallbearers will be Greg Koenigseder, Jeffery Koenigseder, Corey Hamilton, Douglas Hamilton, William Hamilton and J.R. Stewart. Rand Foster and Ryder Foster will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Charles' requested Go Fund Me account https://gofund.me/7bbed299.

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