WALTER T. FOSTER, JR.

Walter Thomas Foster, Jr., 26 year old son of Walter Foster, Sr. of Appomattox, VA and Grace Ranson Foster of Knoxville, TN. lost his life on October 18, 2006.
Walter was born on March 3, 1980 in Lynchburg, VA. and attended Holy Cross Catholic School, Jefferson Forest, Hargrave Military Academy and graduated from Appomattox County High School in 1999 and had served in the U.S. Marine Corp.
He was one of a four person crew on the commercial fishing vessel, the "Ocean Challenger". Walter lost his life when that vessel capsized and sank in the Alaskan waters. The accident happened while the crew was fishing for Black Cod, 60 nautical miles south of Sandpoint off the Alaskan peninsula in the unpredictable and historically turbulent waters of the Bering Sea. Walter began in the Alaska and Washington state fishing ports by working on the docks and in the canneries, he was also a certified welder and worked on the vessels prior to the start of fishing seasons.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by three brothers, William Lewis and wife, Amanda, of Hampton, VA, Wallace James of Kernersville, NC and Warner Russell of Appomattox Walter's friend, Lori Colwell of Westport, WA. Special thanks are made to his Godparents, Marge and Lyle Dunn of Lynchburg, VA and his babysitter and second mother during the first six years of his life, Mrs. Martha Moss of Madison Heights, VA.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jim Frank and Pearl Foster Ranson of Pamplin, VA and Walter "Pete" and Lahoma Foster of Gladys, VA.
Special condolences go out to his fellow crew members, Skipper David "Cowboy" Hasselquist and Steve Esparza, both of Alaska and who also lost their lives in this accident. Appreciation goes to the lone survivor, Kevin Ferrell for his long term friendship with Walter.
Funeral services will be held 5:00 PM, Sunday, October 29, 2006 in the Robinson Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Jack Barrett. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 until the time of the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family request those wishing to make memorials to please consider Walter's friend, Lori Colwell, 2247 North Nyhus #6, Westport, WA 98595 the family of David "Cowboy" Hasselquist, c/o Robin Hasselquest, PO Box 241, Hoonah, AL 99829 or the family of Steve Esparaza, c/o Roanna Barda, PO Box 3209, Kodiak, AL 99615 or a charity of your choice.
Robinson Funeral Home, Appomattox VA. (434-352-7111), is serving the family and condolences may be sent to the family at www.robinsonfuneral.com