It's not what you want to doв?¦it's what you gotta do." George Foster Celebrating His Spirit George June Foster, Jr. was born on May 30, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Martha Mary and George Foster Sr. George, known throughout the world as "The Cincinnati Kid," transitioned from this life on February 24, 2019 into the arms of The Lord. He grew up in Cincinnati's West End community and attended Bloom Junior High School. He first learned to fight at Bloom to keep his lunch money from being taken. He started training as a teenager to become a professional fighter at The Finlay Street Neighborhood House, where he participated in amateur shows. George juggled his training while working as an elevator operator at the Hotel Alms and as a janitor at St. Mark Church. Although he lost sleep and fought fatigue, he continued his routine of running a mile or more of road work. He graduated from William Howard Taft High School. He was a semi-finalist in the Olympic finals in San Francisco, California, which qualified him as an alternate in the 1960 games in Rome, Italy. He trained in Louisville, Kentucky, where he met Cassius Clay who would later become known to the world as Muhammed Ali. George amassed the following boxing record: 1957 Ohio State Champ, Dayton Golden Gloves Champ, Cincinnati Golden Gloves runner-up; Cincinnati Golden Gloves Champ, Chicago Golden Gloves runner-up, New York Golden Gloves runner-up , 1960 Golden Glove Champ; State AAU Champ and National AAU Champ. In 1962, he moved his wife and two children to Yonkers, New York to pursue his professional boxing career. He trained in New York gyms while working at the U.S. Post Office. In total, George fought 20 professional fights, which culminated in 15 wins and five losses. He fought four world champions in events that took him to international destinations such as Argentina, Paris, Sweden, German, North Africa, Puerto Rico and Columbia. He retired from boxing in 1972, returning to Cincinnati to work at the Avondale branch of the U.S. Post Office as a Mail Carrier. George, who could frighten his opponents with a scowl or his knock-out punch, was a loving caring man. He raised his children and grandchildren with loving discipline. He was always encouraging and stressed the value of education to his loved ones. He was well loved and respected in his community, at work and at home. He retired from the post office in 1998 with 30 years of federal service. However, it would be years before he retired from boxing. George continued training young boxers at Hirsh Recreation Center and The Neighborhood House. He was preceded in death by his son, Charles Wesley Foster; siblings, Frederick Terry Foster, Maria Foster Early and Richard Thomas Foster; ex-wives, Carolyn Louise Barnes and Dalphine Foster. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Martha Mary Foster; children, Sheila Foster, Michael Angelo Foster, Terri Lynne Foster Wyche, Latanya Mebane (T.J.), Alicia Renee Foster, Vincente Jorge (Gee) Foster, Grady Foster (Lavinia), Brandy Foster, Dante Foster, and Chianne Delphine Foster, Quentin J. Russ Foster (step-son); his siblings, Nina Mahaffey, Diane Arleen Foster, Regina Theadora Foster, Rosemary Lindsey, Renee Foster; 25 grandchildren, Shakeda, Keonte, Twan,Tameka Renee Foster, Michael Campbell, Michael Angelo Foster, Jr., Rashaun Foster, Sade' Jones, Shavar Jones, Nakeeyia Foster, Courtney Sandford Townes, Jr., Ashley Renee Townes, Destiney Angel Carolyn Kathleen Wyche, Angelo Marvin Wyche, Jamaine Allen Foster, William Tracy Ford, De'Sean Jamar Ford, Nakuan Lavan Foster, Chauncy Todd Harris, Ralencia Jackson, Fran Terrell, Raqkwan Samaj Foster, Sasha Faith Medeiros, Toyon Embry, Zyair Young, Ke'lijah Ricks, Ke'Monte Foster,Ke'shyia Ricks, Ja'shayia Foster, Dream Foster, Gezi White, Gianna Foster, Maliha Foster and one on the way, expected in April,2019. Cemetery Details Spring Grove Cemetery 4521 Spring Grove Cemetery Cincinnati, OH 45232 Visitation

MAR 4. 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM (ET)

College Hill Presbyterian Church

5742 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45224

Service

MAR 4. 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM (ET)

College Hill Presbyterian Church

5742 Hamilton Avenue

Cincinnati, OH 45224