Foster McCormick

Foster McCormick, 76, passed away early on Sunday morning, October 18, 2015 in Gainesville, GA., after complications resulting from extended illness.  A native of Dallas, Texas, Foster was born on November 17, 1938 to Harry and Mary D. McCormick.

Foster attended Georgia Military Academy, (now Woodward Academy), in College Park. Upon graduation, he attended Georgia Institute of Technology, majoring in electronic engineering.  He later helped develop the world’s first optical character reader in the early 1970’s with Recognition Equipment, Inc., in Richardson, Texas, and helped the Tokyo office set it up and run it in Japan.

After college, Foster joined the US Air Force and logged hundreds of hours flying T-33, T-34 and T37 Aircraft.  Foster served in the 550th Strategic Missile Squadron, installing and maintaining Ballistic Missile Guidance systems and working on the first solid state computer.  He left the USAF as an Airman, Second Class.

After the USAF, Foster headed up McCormick and Associates for a short while and published the Dallas Playbill, The Premiere Publication about the Premiere Places to Visit in the Dallas Area for the Dallas Chamber of Commerce.

He also spent many years with the Civil Air Patrol in Florida, doing what he loved to do - camping in the Everglades and teaching youth how to survive in the wilderness, along with land navigation and search and rescue training.  He was awarded The Baldwin Award for Outstanding Senior Member for his contributions.

In later years, Foster was an instructor with Total Technical Institute and Catapult.  He was a great teacher, who loved working with students and sharing his knowledge of computer hardware and software.

Foster is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mary D. McCormick of Dallas, TX and by his half-sister, Marsha Henderson, of Bakersfield, CA.  He is survived by his children, Pamela Levinson and husband Robert, of Norfolk, VA; Mary Michel Hinton and husband Bryant, of Houston, TX; Kevin McCormick and wife Susan, of Keene, NH; Mike McCormick and wife Jennifer of Atlanta, GA; grandchildren Megan, Stacy, Gabriella, Jonathan, Deana, and Elizabeth and great-grandchildren Nina, Wyatt and Robbie and numerous cousins; ex-wife and longtime friend, Deborah Rhodes; and his partner Bonnie Peacock.

Foster was a dad, teacher, leader, dearest friend and gentle soul.  He was a kind man and a true gentleman who loved flying, camping, canoeing, white water rafting, the company of friends and living life.  He will be missed by those who knew him well.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Foster’s life Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 12:00 Noon at the Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green Street, NE.

In lieu of the customary remembrances, memorial donations may be made in the name of Foster McCormick to either the Salvation Army, https://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/page.aspx?pid=207#tribute or The Woodward Alumni Fund, https://www.woodward.edu/giving-back/gift

Online condolences may be expressed at www.dahlonegafuneralhome.com

Arrangements by the professional staff of Dahlonega Funeral Home 20 Gibson Road Dahlonega, GA 30533 706-864-DOVE (3683)