John Foster

John Foster, age 70 of Cleveland, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025.

Mr. Foster was born on August 27, 1954, in Pontiac, MI to the late Paul and Billy Sue Foster of Clayton, GA. John joined the United States Army in 1974 and was stationed in Italy. He transferred to the National Guard Reserves in 1977 and left the reserves in 1981.

John joined the law enforcement community. After graduation at the Police Academy in 1984, he served Habersham and Hart Counties. He moved to Florida in 1992 and married Fran Cook on September 28, 1996. John stayed within his commitment to serving the public. He began teaching Criminal Justice at St. Augustine Tech.

John and Fran moved back to Georgia, settling in Cleveland. John began work for the City of Cleveland Police Department in 1997. He served the City of Cleveland for 23 years with the last 17 years as the Chief of Police. John was a sworn police officer, dedicated to his community, officers, and family. He loved to hunt and fish when he was younger. He was an avid wood worker and a slinger of “bull.”

Mr. Foster is survived by his wife, Fran; daughter and son-in-law, Leighanne and David Reynolds; son and daughter-in-law, Kale and Tina Mason; brother and sister-in-law, Chuck and Joyce Foster; sister and brother-in-law, Kim and David Crunckleton; nephew and wife, Tillmon and Brittney Richardson; one grandchild, Caden Hamilton; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins on both sides of the family.

Funeral services will be held at 12:30 PM, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from the Chapel of Barrett Funeral. The Rev. Brandon Wood will officiate, and Mr. Ken Howard will be the speaker.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM- 12 Noon on Wednesday, prior to the service.

A livestream of the service may be viewed at https://youtube.com/live/zkg8ra5fbJ8?feature=share

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to White County Honor Guard- 1141 Charlie Thomas Road Cleveland, GA 30528 or Charles Smithgall Humane Society- PO Box 2090 Cleveland, GA 30528.

To share a memory or leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com

Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland- 706-865-3101