Bobbie Joe "B.J.", "Bob" Foster of Magnolia, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones in his home on February 21, 2022. Bob was 85 at the time of his passing and lived a very full and rewarding life.

Bobbie was born on June 22, 1936 in Pineland, Texas to Jesse Austin Foster and Wilhelmina Annie Jutzi Foster.  As the baby of their nine children, he was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters, James Bernard (J.B.) Foster, Gladys Olive Farrar, Malcolm Leroy Foster, John David Foster, Jesse Austin (Junior) Foster, Hazel Maria Tatom, Doris Yvonne Dilts, and Bill Eugene Foster.

Bob is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rose Carolyn Edwards Foster, and their two beloved Maltese furbabies, Portia and Juliette.  Bob and Carolyn were married on August 10, 1961 in Houston, Texas. After living in Houston until 1972, they made their way to Magnolia, Texas where they resided for the past 50 years.

Bob and Carolyn had a blended family with seven children of the "yours, mine and ours" variety. Beginning with the oldest Frances Diane Massey, followed by Theresa Lousie Thompson (Hank), Sharon Marie Dornak, Sabrina Gayle Bailey (Harold), John Michael Foster (Linda), Carol Ann Ybarbo, and finally Robert Eugene Foster, the baby of the family.

With an additional 14 grandchildren, as well as 11 great-grandchildren, the Foster household has always been a place full of joy, fond memories and large gatherings of family and friends over the years.  Bob was a PawPaw of the doting and spoiling variety. He loved and adored them all, seldom missing a dance competition or sporting event.  His 14 grandchildren are Jimmy LeJeune, Chantel Williams, Kelly Hindle, Dominick Brillon, Bryan Jones, Dusty Russell, TJ Thompson, Amanda Seaver, Casey Kohler, Trice Bailey, Tucker Thompson, Emily Ybarbo, Cecilia Ybarbo and DeeDee Massey.

He graduated from Pineland High School in 1953 and immediately joined the army at the age of 17, where he earned a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. He was stationed in Fort Bliss, El Paso and Fort Meade, Maryland.  After serving in the army from 1953 to 1956, he attended the University of Houston and earned an associates degree.

Bob became a Houston Police Officer in 1959 and with his keen intelligence quickly worked his way into the position of burglary and theft detective. After 23 years of service in 1982, he retired and began his second career as a real estate broker, owning a successful real estate business, God's Country Realty in Magnolia, Texas.

Bob finally fully retired after selling his business in 1998 and spent as much time as possible at his second home in Wimberley, Texas and his beloved spot on the Frio River in Leakey, Texas.  Oh if that river could talk, the stories it would tell of dominoes and cards with friends and family, entertaining the passing floaters with smiley faces he let his granddaughter draw on his belly. Campfires, cook-outs and sleeping outdoors, making wholesome childhood memories his children and grand-children will never forget.

Bob was a very strong-willed, self-made man. His dad passed away when he was only three years old leaving his mom with nine children to raise during the war. Through his meager beginnings, he learned grit and stubbornness which served him well in life. He loved to share stories of his colorful childhood, of his Pentecostal minister father and his mean ol' Grandpop Jutzi, who floated as a youngster down the Mississippi from Illinois to New Orleans on a raft, Huckleberry Finn style.  He spoke of hauling water with a mule from a creek, because there was no running water, picking cotton, and running amok with mischief, as country boys did. Bob had nothing but endearing memories of his dirt-poor East Texas childhood, of which created the amazing, loyal and principled man he was.

Along with his wife Carolyn, the Fosters were movers and shakers in the community they loved, having established several businesses in Magnolia over the years, including a real estate company (God's Country Realty), a newspaper (The Potpourri), and a dog grooming business (The Poodle Parade).  He was instrumental, along with his wife, as the founders of St. Matthias Catholic Church.  The Fosters did most of the legwork of presenting a petition to the diocese, as well as Bob serving as the broker on the purchase of the land upon which the church sits.  He was a tremendous athlete himself and coached and umpired his son's teams in the sports of baseball and football, as well as assisting in the establishment of the first girl's little league program in Magnolia.

Bob was a very generous man. He helped many friends and loved ones get a new business up and running through his generosity, and with his sage business advice, never asking for anything in return.  He sowed seeds of love and wisdom here on earth that will continue to bloom forever. Most of all he was devoted to and loved his family and friends and instilled good values in his children and grandchildren that have served them well. May he rest in peace, but may his strength and love live on through his family.

A Visitation is scheduled at Klein Funeral Home, Magnolia on Monday, February 28, 2022 from 6:00-7:00 followed by a rosary at 7:00.  The funeral mass will be held at St. Matthias Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 2, 2022 at 2:00, followed by a graveside service at 3:15 at Klein Memorial Park. A reception will be held in the church hall upon return from the cemetery.