Johnny Foster

Johnny Foster, affectionately known as ‘Fuzz’, “Fuzzy’, ‘Johnny Fuzz’, and ‘JFuzz’, eldest son of the late John C. Foster and Louise McCain Foster, was born July 20, 1940, Union County, NC. He was educated in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and graduated in 1957, a year early, from West Charlotte Senior High, where he played Baseball, Football, and Basketball, and proceeded to North Carolina A&T State University to play Baseball. He transferred to Johnson C. Smith University, where he played Football, to complete his studies in Health and Biology with plans to attend Medical School. In his senior year, he was drafted by the United States Army where he became a Sergeant and served as a Medic while also opening Blood Banks, while stationed in San Antonio, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. When he finished his tour of duty, from 1963 to 1966, he returned to Charlotte and began doing research in the lab for the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Department. He was a mentor and friend to many of his colleagues. They called him, “One of a kind.” He moved from the main building to manage the Satellite Jail, locatedin the area the Panthers’ Stadium today. They built a new Satellite Jail in northern Charlotte, which he managed until he retired as Captain in 1996 after 30 years. In 1967, he married Brenda Macon and to their union was born, as he would say, “their youngest and their oldest,” a daughter, Cherith, on April 1, 1968. As he called his Mother and Mother-in-law on April Fools’ Day, they each kept hanging up on him saying, “You’re not going to get me today, Johnny.” From childhood, Johnny always loved Baseball. He played and taught folks how to play every chance he got. In the 1970’s, he founded his own team, the Royal Bums, who were part of the Jackie Robinson League. His late brother, James, played on his team. During the season, all Saturdays, for his family, were spent at the Baseball field. Johnny was always athletic and in the early years, he enjoyed playing pickup Basketball and Tennis with his buddies, but one of his greatest passions was Golf. He was a member of the Charlotte Golfing Seniors and thoroughly enjoyed getting together with them on Mondays for Golf and lunch. He would often say, “If I had started golf earlier, I could have been Tiger Woods.” He played every chance he got with his brothers, James, who he affectionately called ‘Jim’ or ’Dee’, and Arnold, who he affectionately called ‘PY’, as well as with his many buddies throughout the years. He taught his daughter, Cherith, how to play when she was around 8 years old and would go to the golf course with him. She joined him and the Charlotte Golfing Seniors on a few occasions. Johnny was a member of Rockwell A.M.E. Zion Church and was a Steward , a Trustee and a member of the Golden Gates choir. He was active in the Bible Studies and anything that was going on at the church. He also visited with other Bible Studies, i.e. Ebenezer Baptist Church, and other senior groups. Foster, as he was also called, was in a plethora of groups, clubs and organizations: West Charlotte High School National Alumni Association, Incorporated, West Charlotte/Second Ward Breakfast Club, Charlotte Golfing Seniors, Queen City Players Pinochle Club, JCSU 100, North State Law Enforcement Officers Association, Silver Set Lodge #327, Rameses Temple #51, and The American Legion Post #262 and many others. He was proceeded in death by his parents and one brother: James ‘Jim’ or ‘Dee’ Foster and three brothers-in-law: Charles Anthony, James McCray, Sr., and Baxter Macon, Jr. and three sisters-in-law: Katheryn ‘Cookie’ Anthony Good, Marthenia McCray, and Jean Macon. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Macon Foster; daughter, Cherith Foster; brother, Arnold ‘PY’ Foster; sisters-in-law, Rosenia Macon, and Beverly Macon; brother-in-law, Howard Good, Sr.; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Johnny Foster

July 20, 1940 - May 28, 2025