HENRY LOUIS FOSTER JR.

Walk trough viewing will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2021 from 3:00 PM till 5:00 PM. The Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 15, 2021, at Greenwood Memorial Park. at 1:00 PM

HENRY LOUIS FOSTER, JR / February 9, 1954 - February 18, 2021

Henry Louis Foster, Jr, the fourth of five children, was born to Henry Louis Foster, Sr. and Emma Doris Smith Foster on February 9, 1954 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Shortly after his birth, in 1956 Emma and Henry Foster Sr. left their hometown of Macon, Georgia with four small children, a tank of gas and five dollars in their pockets and headed to California, in pursuit of their dream of racial equality and prosperity for their young family. The Foster’s soon became one of the first African American families to purchase a home in the Valencia Park community of San Diego where they raised their five children.

Henry Sr. played semi-pro baseball and passed his love for the game to his son Henry Jr. who was affectionately called “Butch” by his family and friends. Butch grew up on the baseball diamond and started his love for the game at Encanto Little League, on the baseball fields that his father built for the community.

Foster continued to excel in sports and played varsity football and baseball at Hoover High School where he met the love of his life, Elena Leavy. The young couple welcomed their first of three children, Henry Louis Foster III, and married February 12, 1972. They both continued and graduated from Hoover High School that same year. After graduation, Foster attended San Diego City College and began working in the construction industry with his father to build a better life for his family.

In 1975 along with his father and mother, the H.L. Foster Construction Company Inc. was formed. The company quickly became a multi-million-dollar endeavor. The H.L. Foster Construction seal can be seen on sidewalks throughout San Diego County.

Henry, Jr. played a vital role in hiring many People of Color in the construction industry giving them their first union job. He was an active member of the Labors’ Union of North America, Local 89, which he joined on June 18,1971 and remained a member until he retired on December 1, 2002. He was also a member of International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 12. He was recognized by the Labors’ Union of North America, Local 89 for the work he did on the Obama campaign.

Like his father before him, Foster loved coaching his two sons in Little League and Pony/Colt Baseball. Committed to giving back to his community, Foster served in various capacities at Sunshine Pony/Colt League for over 25 years, as a mentor to the players, a friend to the parents and supporters, a coach, a manager and as the President of the league. In addition to his time at Sunshine, he enjoyed tailgating and watching his San Diego Chargers and San Diego Padres with family and friends. He was also an extremely proud Hampton University graduate Dad.  

Our beloved, Henry Louis Foster, Jr. received his Wings on February 18, 2021 and was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Love Horton. Foster is mourned  by his wife of 49 years Elena, three children, Henry III (wife-Antonique), Brandon, Amber DuBois (Husband-Eric), eight grandchildren, Branden, Henry IV, Morghan, Eric IV, Avianna, Caleigh, Demitri, Antonio, four sisters, Angela Hill, Dr. Francine Williams PhD, Romell Foster-Owens, Zarier Howard and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews from the Leavy and Foster families and extended family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of HENRY LOUIS FOSTER JR., please visit our floral store.