A former Sky12 reporter Jerry Foster passed away at the age of 82 after battling lung cancer. Let’s see more details about Jerry and his cause of death in detail.
How did Jerry Foster die?
Longtime Sky12 reporter Jerry Foster passes away at 82. He was suffering from Lung cancer for a while. After a long battle, he passed away at the age of 82.
12 News reported the news on social Media. It says,
A pioneer in Arizona broadcasting has died. Retired 12News reporter Jerry Foster died Friday after a battle with lung cancer, according to his wife, Linda. He was 82 years old.
Cause of death
Retired 12News reporter Jerry Foster died Friday after a battle with lung cancer, according to his wife, Linda. He was 82 years old. Foster was Arizona’s first sky broadcaster, bringing families the news from a helicopter to their homes between the 1970s and the early 1990s.
RIP Jerry. You were an amazing addition to news broadcasting in Arizona. You were a respected pilot and news professional but you were also a people person and felt like family when we watched you on the news. You somehow made a connection with people and have been missed by many since you retired. God Bless you. My condolences to your family.
Who was Jerry Foster?
Former Sky 12 pilot Jerry Foster discusses the highs and lows of a career in the skies above Phoenix with Republic reporter Richard Ruela. He brought breathtaking views of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and the Phoenix skyline right into 12News listeners’ living rooms. According to Linda, he adored helicopters and surrounded himself in his house with dozens of different helicopter models. His physique resembled a component of the machine. He was destined for it, she claimed. For his family and many Arizonans, he was unquestionably a gem and a hero of the state.
Foster led a colorful life that was not without controversy. As he wrote in his 500-page memoir, Earthbound Misfits, he was dishonorably discharged from the military. After he left 12News, he pleaded guilty to drug charges in 1996. He had clashes with the FAA over some of his methods and once had his license suspended. One of Foster’s last wishes was to soar through the air in a helicopter for one final flight, one last time.
Hospice of the Valley made jerry’s wish come true
Foster expressed his desire and his wishes came true to 12 News.
“It’s an honor. I’m so honored. I had a controversial career, you know, anytime you’re the first to do something,” Foster told 12News. “I found the job that I loved. It started with doing traffic reports in a gyroplane that lasted. A year after a third crash landing, we decided to get a helicopter,” Foster said. He was willing to take risks reporting the stories across the Valley; even saving lives while doing it.
Foster also helped law enforcement with manhunts, searches, and rescues when many police departments did not yet have helicopters. “I had one rescue where a state trooper was laying on my skid, and a girl was in the river drowning. You ever see an eagle come down and wham, that’s what we did, we saved her life, and there’s nothing better than that,” Foster reminisced.
“I just stand on my record and never scratched a helicopter; it was all good,” said Foster.
Social Media Tributes
Joe Dana Posted
Jerry Foster passed away at 82 years old. His memoir, “Earthbound Misfits,” describes a life of thrilling TV moments & tough life lessons. His wife, Linda says Jerry always felt “the machine was an extension of his body.”
Cacti Kim Posted
Retired Sky12 reporter Jerry Foster passes away at age 82 – Foster was Arizona’s first sky broadcaster, bringing families the news from a helicopter to their homes between the 1970s through the early 1990s.
Larry Gooch Posted
Rip Jerry! I grew up watching him. I remember my Dad got to ride with him once when he was on a call with Phoenix Fire Department.
Vicki North Posted
He would fill in and fly the Physician I worked for and our team to different parts of the state to have a clinic. Super nice guy. R.I.P. Jerry.
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