Jack Edward Foster, Sr. was born December 12, 1945, in Eudora, AR to Ella Edwards and Roosevelt A. Foster of Lake Village, AR. He was raised by his loving grandmother, Emma "Mama" Wade. Mama Emma instilled within him many of the values that influenced him throughout his life, such as: identity, activism, character, personability and his favorite pastime, cooking.
Jack received his early education in the Chicot County School District and he graduated from Central High Schoolin 1963. Shortly after graduating from high school he enlisted in the United States Army and bravely served his country for three years during a tour of Vietnam. After his discharge from the Army, he enrolled at Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal (AM&N) College (now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) in the fall of 1967.
Jack moved to the bustling Chicago area in 1974 and worked in management for the McDonald's Corporation for a number,of years. It was during his time in Chicago that he developed a passion for politics, running for mayor in 1975. This experience ignited a fire within him, fueling his desire to make a difference in the lives of those around him. Jack continued his career in restaurant management and eventually moved to Miami, FL before returning to his roots in Arkansas, where he met his future wife, Johnnie Pilcher, the love of his life. They struck up a friendship that blossomed into love, and on November 22, 1984, they tied the knot in Lake Village, Arkansas. They would go on to blend their families and create a loving, supportive environment for their children.
Jack continued to work in the food service industry and the family moved to Texas, Louisiana and back to Illinois before finally settling in Pine Bluff in 1990. It is in Pine Bluff where Jack's spirit of activism was truly cultivated. Even prior to his clection to the Pine Bluff City Council (from 2001-2004), he was a dedicated public servant; always ready to help those in need. Jack could be found advocating against injustice on all levels, from the Pine Bluff Police Department, the Pine Bluff Fire Department and Pine Bluff School District. He was no stranger to participating in boycotts, picketing and speaking at various meetings in support of equitable policies and practices. In 1995 he attended the historic Million Man March in Washington, D.C.
Through the years, Jack was a friend, mentor, confidant and surrogate father to many people in the Pine Bluff community. He was a member of the Coalition of Shared Progress, and served on the Political Action Committee and Executive Committee of the Pine Bluff NAACP Branch, in which he won the Game Changer Award in 2023. He enjoyed community activism, reading, supporting the UAPB Golden Lion football and basketball teams, and playing dominoes. Despite his love for the business world and his passion for politics, it was clear that Jack's greatest accomplishment was his loving family. He cherished each and every one of them, and they, in turn, adored their father. Jack's legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren, who continue to embody the values and virtues that he taught them. His story is one of perseverance, love, and unwavering dedication to his family, proving that the ties that bind us together are stronger than any obstacle we may face.
He returned to UAPB in 2022 to finish what he began at Arkansas AM&N and was scheduled to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management. On May 11, 2024, his honorary posthumous degree was presented to and accepted by his family.
The Jack E. Foster, Sr. Endowed Scholarship at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was created to honor his life and legacy and to provide financial assistance to students. One hundred percent of proceeds will be contributed to The Jack E. Foster, Sr. Endowed Scholarship.