Gerald “Jed” Foster, former Fairfield Mules and University of Illinois basketball standout, passed away peacefully Tuesday at the age of 69. Jed passed away at AdventHealth Hospital in Sebring, FL. He retired to Florida after 36 years with Country Financial.
Born the son of George and Velda Foster on January 23, 1951 in Fairfield, IL, Jed married his high school sweetheart Debbie (McNeely) Foster on July 17, 1971. In addition to wife Debbie, he is survived by his sons – Brian (Anna) Foster of Cincinnati, OH and Scott (Brianne) Foster of Fairfield; his siblings – Doyle (Patty) Foster of Pendleton, IN and Barbara Bennett of Edwardsville, IL; eight grandchildren (Jordin, Jasmin, Jansen, Jaiden, Marlise, Miriem, Madeline and Mabrey Foster); and two great grandchildren. One great grandchild preceded him in death.
Jed captured the imagination of Mules fans everywhere during the 1968-’69 season when he led the Mules to its best ever start of 22-0 and a Top 10 state ranking in then single class Illinois basketball. Wins over Mt. Vernon featuring future SIU and NBA star Nate Hawthorn, and Benton led by future Olympian and NBA No. 1 Draft Pick Doug Collins, were highlights of the season. While the Mules would end up losing to Mt. Vernon in the Regional finals, that magical season captivated college coaches from across the country with admiring coaches frequenting nearly every game that season for a chance to sign the talented 6’6” big man. Legendary UCLA Coach John Wooden even sent his top recruiter, future Hall of Fame coach Denny Crum, to Fairfield to watch Jed and the Mules. But on National Signing Day, Jed decided to stay close to home and signed with the University of Illinois Fighting Illini where he was named co-captain of the Freshman team along with future Illini All-Century Team member Nick Weatherspoon. Jed finished his career at Illinois as a 3 year varsity letter winner.
Highlights of Jed’s playing career including records set at Fairfield Community High School included:
Single Game scoring record 47 points*
Single season scoring record 726 points
Career scoring record 1,707 points
Single game rebounding record 32*
Single season rebounding record 389*
Career rebounding record 932*
Sunkist All American Team
Chicago Daily News All-State Team – Honorary Captain
Champaign News Gazette All-State Team
* Believed to still be FCHS records
A Graveside Memorial Service will be held at 1PM on Friday January 29, 2021 at Bestow Cemetery in Geff. Friends and family are asked to go directly to the cemetery. An annual scholarship fund is being established to award a deserving Fairfield Community High School Senior basketball player. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to help start the Gerald “Jed” Foster Memorial Scholarship. Checks can be made payable to Fairfield Community High School and sent to Johnson & Vaughn Funeral Home, c/o Foster Scholarship Fund, 106 NE 4th St., Fairfield, IL 62837.