Letter One

I wrote this two days after this happened and read it at his service in Gadsden Al
where we are from and were visiting for Thanksgiving. I pulled from John Wesley's
courage to speak, God gave me grace to actually walk .

John Wesley our love, our son, our baby boy. I knew even when you were small you would be
something big. How you would question everything we said just to prove you were right, or how you
would snap to attention when you knew you weren’t. You were just being you. You were being
what made you so special, you were just being John Wesley. To me, John Wesley wasn’t just your
name, it described you. You are John Wesley our love, our son, our baby boy. Some days I didn't’t
know who was driving, you or your mother, but you were riding together and going to the same
place. That’s all that mattered. You shared the same compassion for people, the same drive to help,
the same spirit to carry on. John Wesley my love, my son, my baby boy. Spirit is not a big enough
word to have John Wesley attached to it. The spirit you had made me look at you and see a boy
who would be such a man. You were a boy who most men could not match against love,
compassion, spirit, drive, and giving of your time and effort. John Wesley our love, our son, our
baby boy. Time has not enough space for the words
we could choose, nor enough breath to speak them. My heart swells with the honor of knowing you,
my mind races with the memories you shared with me. John Wesley our love, our son, our baby
boy. Thank you for giving us the time you did. We are better people, better parents, and better
children for knowing you. Parents turn around, hug your children, love your children. Live your
days, like John Wesley, like it is your last. Smile, laugh, and be there for them. Be at their practice,
their games and their events. Show them how proud of them you are and let them be a joy to you
like John Wesley our love, our son, our baby boy is to us. We will miss you but we won’t forget you.

This farewell letter read by John Wesley's cousin Brett Whiteside and written by
My father "Poppy" at John Wesley’s Service

There’s not much special about our house, it’s like many in our neighborhood, with a maple tree
that still bears the scars of many tire swings over the years, and in the fall offer one last gift of
leaves for the children to enjoy. The often replaced American flag that has draped from the porch
since 9-11. It has a yard that has seen seasonal decoration’s over the years, sometimes elaborate
and sometimes not. There is a welcome mat at every door for friends, family and neighbor’s to
shuffle their feet. Like I said nothing special, and in a place, to borrow a phrase, “traveled by
many, remembered by few”
Many people know where the house is; some drop by for coffee and a chat, some just to change a
diaper. The house isn’t special – but the home is. All who cross the welcome mat and immediately
aware how special it is, It’s because of the people who pass through that doorway that make it
special. Some may walk or ride by and hear the laughter or answer a wave from the porch. It’s
our family and friends that give this home its unchanging quality. It may be Mike & Judy’s to some
– or Nanny & Poppy’s, to others, but it’s the warmth of the guests who visit that tell it’s true
story. Our Family and Friends know where we live – often to share their pain or celebration.
Thursday, gathered around the great table as we gave thanks for the many, many blessings of life,
we had a special guest – God came to our house – yes God knows where we live and we all felt his
presence, he watched as we enjoyed our day of Thanks, family pictures, the tossing of the leaves,
and short bursts of a football game. The perfect day. God came back on Saturday as we again
gathered but this time he touched a very special little boy. Short on years, only nine, but long on
character and the smallest hero I have ever known. He was my Buddy. He was a giver, a
protector, mentor and my Grandson. I don’t know why he’s’ gone, I may never know. What I know
is that God knows where we live, and he blessed us with nine wonderful years and countless
memories. This is no longer just a house but a home and a memorial to John Wesley Foster whose
pictures will grace every room in our home for as long as we live and we will know that sometimes
God needs the Best of the Best and he will be greeted warmly as he crosses that welcome mat
eagerly awaited by those he knew that have gone before him. He will be missed, but he will be kept
here in our hearts forever. Some day we’ll see ya Little Buddy and we will again gather on some
porch and talk about our day – and then we’ll tuck our football under our arm, walk into the
sunset perhaps this time - with your arm on my shoulder.
For John Wesley from Poppy

After we returned to Panama City, we had a "Life Celebration" for John Wesley.
We have so many people who love us, and John Wesley really made an impact on
them. While still in shock, we had a gathering for him and tried to celebrate his
"life" it was very hard but hopefully lives where impacted in a positive way hearing
his story. I wrote this trying to let people know just how special he really was to his
community. His entire football and baseball team were there, where they signed his
helmet and retired his jersey.

First of all I would like to thank everyone involved in organizing this celebration of John Wesley's life.
The support that we have receive from this community has been overwhelming and reflective of just
how many people John Wesley touched.
John Wesley didn't’t necessarily excel at everything he tried but he excelled at trying everything. He
gave 100% at everything he did. His spirit would not allow any less. His days were mapped with
giving his all at every endeavor and leaving kindness, compassion, and a spark of happiness in his
wake. I asked him several times, "John Wesley, you like football don’t you?" he would say "yes I do
dad" how Do you like playing center? do you want me to help you learn another position? he would
just say, no dad, they need me there, the team depends on me. Its this workman like attitude that
he took in nearly everything he did. John Wesley gave his time and effort in several different
organization. Ringing the Salvation Army bell was scheduled for this week. This is something he
wanted to do all by himself, just something else he believed in. ASAP programs where he would
read to other children was a passion he had. Giving out food at the mission for Christmas or getting
cokes for United Way's thanksgiving dinner gave him satisfaction, and fuel for the sparkle he left
everywhere he went. These acts of kindness were partially taught, partially pure John Wesley.
Parents, make a difference in your childs life, make a difference in another childs life, donate your
time and money to these organizations, not just in John Wesley's honor but to honor giving and
kindness that still exist in this community, allow yourself to witness a child getting to play a sport
because of your donation, or a person being appreciative of your time and kindness by serving
them. Don’t let time pass you by without hugging your children, or spending time with them that
you too will cherish. Have no regrets. The time we have with them is not guaranteed. The time I
spent with John Wesley I will treasure, his spirit I will always admire, his memory will always be
remembered.

The people at Frank Brown Park dedicated field five to John Wesley. These are
really special people who are in it just for the kids. We spent allot of time there and
I have many fond memories that were created at this special place

First I would like to thank Steve and Tom and all those involved with this park, they really make it
a wonderful place to enjoy time with your kids. And without them, the fun, excitement and overall
learning experience would be diminished.
John Wesley spent allot of time here and created allot of memories and friendships. Even us as
parents have created special friendships because of the common act of just being with our kids,
watching them create memories to last a lifetime. John Wesley loved his teammates, his coaches,
and the game. He was proud of his team no matter what the score, no matter the record, he knew
there would be another day to improve, to be better, to win as a team. With the honor of
dedicating this field to John Wesley I feel his spirit lives on continuing to affect others, and his
laughter will echo through out this park forever.
The love John Wesley had for sports and the active lifestyle that he lived was a trigger not a cause
for SCA. That is why we feel that all sports complexes and public gathering locations should be
equipped with AED's. Frank Brown Park was a special place for John Wesley and many others, that
is why we feel this should be the first place to start with the placement of AED's. If you want to
honor John Wesley, spend time with your kids, enjoy their company, create those memories we hold
so dear and help us see to it that these devices are available to those places that need them. By
working through The John Wesley Foster Foundation we can achieve this goal of equip, educate and
awareness. Help us to allow John Wesley to continue to make a difference, Remember John Wesley.

Copyright © 2007 RememberJohnWesley All rights reserved.

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:1

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