Friends and family said farewell Friday to famed basketball player and coach Jerry "Red" Foster who passed away at the age of 59.
“He touched a lot of lives,” declared Phil Tollett, pastor and friend to Foster who passed away Aug. 14 at his home. Tollett, along with Bryan Simmons, spoke during memorial services held at DeKalb County High School gym Friday.
Hundreds attended the funeral, filing by to pay their last respects to the beloved coach. Schools were let out early Friday in respect of Coach Foster and to allow for visitation and the memorial services at the school where he starred as a youth.
Foster was a five-star athlete in high school, college and then at the professional level, excelling at basketball to the extent he was drafted by the New York Knicks.
He began playing with College Street Junior High School under the late Coach Elzie McBride and later at DCHS under former Coach Harold Luna.
He was a star on the Tiger basketball team from 1972-76 and was a part in over 80 wins. He was named All-District, All-Region, Upper Cumberland MVP, first team All-State, and was named the Class AA Player of the Year in 1976. He was selected to play in the East/ West All Star game.
Following his high school career, he became a star at Bethel University in McKenzie. As a member of the Bethel University basketball team from 1976-80, he scored 1,879 points and grabbed 1,440 rebounds earning first team All-Conference during both his junior and senior years. He was also named an NAIA All American after his senior year.
He was selected in the fourth round of the 1980 NBA draft by the New York Knicks and later signed a professional contract in the European League. He played two seasons in South America before retiring from professional basketball.
Foster returned to DCHS, as freshman boys coach from 1983-89, amassing a 92-22 record. He then moved to Jackson County High School and served as head boys coach from 1989-93 earning a 101-87 record in four seasons. He then returned to DCHS to lead the Lady Tiger basketball program for seven years, from 1993-2000 going 93-85.
After leaving the coaching profession, he continued to teach physical education at Northside Elementary School and instructed basketball in an after-school capacity.
A scholarship fund has been set up in Coach Foster’s name. The donations can be made through DeKalb Funeral Home or by going to or sending your donation to FirstBank at 200 West Main Street in Smithville to the attention of Kathy Goodwin. Make checks payable to the Jerry Foster Scholarship Fund.
