J. Foster Cathcart passed away peacefully following a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease.  He died at his home in Spring in the loving arms of his wife, Nancy and in the presence of his children.   

Foster was born in St. George, S.C. on Feb. 6, 1928  to Thomas Madden and Daisy Varn Cathcart and grew up in Bishopville, S.C.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy Becker Cathcart.  Together they shared six children,  John Cathcart and wife, Sandee of Florida, Daisy J. Cathcart of California and Lisa O’Connell and husband Tom of Maryland; Diana Finlay Hendricks and husband, Mark Hendricks of San Marcos,  Ron Becker and wife, Karen of Richmond Hill, Georgia and Guy Becker of Owasso, Okla. 

He is survived by 16 grandchildren:  Michael and Nicole Cathcart, Sean, Lauren, Ryan and Daniel O’Connell, Jenni Finlay McNeill, Sterling Finlay,   HalleyAnna Finlay, DeLynn Hendricks Mitchell, Patrick Hendricks, Shelby Becker, Krissy Becker, Cody Becker, Brandon Becker and Alex Freeman and    three great-grandchildren, Belle and Trent Cathcart and Annie Finlay.   

Foster enjoyed visiting San Marcos supporting his grandchildren in various San Marcos High School events and perfomances, and he and Grammy welcomed a steady stream of Central Texas friends of all ages into their homes in Houston, Galveston and Clemson, SC.

He served in the U.S. Army 417th Division in Europe toward the end of World War II,  working with the  Glenn Miller  Orchestra entertaining the American troops at military bases in Germany, France and England.

Foster had a long and distinguished record of work and academic pursuits. 

He earned a BA in Textile Manufacturing from Clemson University, graduating Summa Cum Laude and was president of the Class of 1951. Like many of his fellow Clemson Alumni, Foster maintained a tight and enduring bond with Clemson through various Alumni organizations.   He was a lifelong Clemson Tiger supporter, traveling across oceans to attend special sporting events.

After graduation, he joined  E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, serving in various locations throughout the United States and the world, including Geneva, Switzerland, Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City, where he capped off his 34 year career as president of DuPont Mexico-Latin America. 

A tireless and experienced leader, Foster also served as the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico; chairman, U. S. Legislation Committee, vice president, Association of American Chambers of Commerce in  Latin America and Steering Committee Member, US – Mexico Business Committee Council.

In 1985, his decades-spanning experience in international business and manufacturing was recognized by the President of the United States and he was appointed by President Ronald Reagan and charged with the Executive Exchange Program in the American Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.   

Throughout the 24 months in this post, he worked closely with various American and foreign embassies, international, regional and national trade organizations, associations and corporations to promote U.S. business interests and increased trade, primarily through the newly-created Caribbean Basin Initiative. During this time, he had the opportunity to meet personally with Pope John Paul at the Vatican in Rome, Italy and other  Heads of State throughout Europe. 

Foster’s strong Christian faith and dedication to his beloved Episcopal Church was in evidence throughout his life.  No matter where he lived, he managed to do God’s work in a variety of important church-related positions, serving parishes as Senior Warden, Vestryman, Lay Reader, Eucharistic Minister and friend. 

He was proud to have served on nine church vestries in three countries.  His work  was instrumental in planting the first Episcopal mission in Monterrey, Mexico.   He left behind a legacy of hard work, dedication, involvement and experience to the benefit of each and every parish of which he was a member.

A memorial service will be held at St. Dunstan’s Episcopal Church, 14301 Teubner - Airline Road, Houston, with a reception to follow in the Church Parish Hall.