James "Ears" Foerster

James E. Foerster, age 81 of Canton died Thursday, October 20, 2022, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Ann Arbor.

He was born December 13, 1940, in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Jim grew up in Plymouth and spent many summers working on his cousin’s farm. Jim was proud to have served in the U.S. Army National Guard and during the late 1960’s, he helped to protect a fire station during the rioting in Detroit. He worked for a few years at Willow Run assembly line on the Corvair where he quickly decided that factory life was not for him. He enjoyed being outside, so truck driving it was.

He drove for many years and enjoyed teaching others to drive. He eventually was able to purchase his own double body dump truck or “Michigan Gravel Train” and worked proudly as an Independent, working for many companies.

After retirement from truck driving, he owned a motorhome that was rented out for commercials and music videos for the talent to stay during a “shoot”. He met many celebrities, but was most proud of meeting Kid Rock and Alice Cooper who he would tell you were “some of the nicest folks he had the pleasure of dealing with.” He also was able to see several prototype cars while shooting car commercials.

Jim enjoyed watching and going to drag racing events, buying, selling, and working on old cars and, riding his motorcycle or Cushman. He enjoyed traveling, and a day trip to the Upper Peninsula was not unheard of.  So, it was not a surprise when he and his wife, Martha were married on the 75th Anniversary of the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota.

Jim never met a person he did not like and was beloved by all who met him.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Geyer, a son, Mark (Janette) Foerster, daughter, Jamie Blanchard, brother, Richard Foerster, and grandchildren.

Visitation will be October 28^th, 2022 from 2:00-8:00 P.M. at the Schrader-Howell Funeral Home, 280 South Main Street, Plymouth, Michigan. A funeral will take place October 29th at 10:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home and will be officiated by The Reverend Drex Morton. Entombment will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Plymouth.

A gathering will be held at the New Hudson Inn following the ceremony to raise one for “Ears”.

Memorials may be made to D.R.A.W. - Drag Racing Association of Women, P. O. Box 365, Danvers, Illinois 61732 or online at:  http://www.drawfasthelp.org/donate.html

D.R.A.W. is a cause close to Jim’s heart.