Harold Dempsey Foster (Dempsey), age 89, of Monticello, Kentucky passed away in his home on September 3, 2025.  He was born on January 28, 1936, to parents Thomas and Nellie Foster, who preceded him in death.  He married Joy Ruth (Kidd) Foster, and they were long-time residents in the Barrier community of Wayne County.

He served in the Kentucky National Guard during the Korean War from 1952 to 1955.  He held many jobs working with pride and his hands throughout his life.  He worked on the natural gas pipeline, was co-owner of Quality State Coal and was recognized in 1977 for exemplary work in reclamation of the strip mine they operated in McCreary County.  He disassembled railroad bridges in Clarksville, Tennessee, and operated heavy equipment at the W. Rogers Company until he retired in 2007, but Dempsey never really stopped working.  He always had a project and didn't like to sit still.  Even in recent years, he enjoyed helping his grandson Brian on his farm and doing work with his backhoe.

He was devoted to his work, but his true loves were his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his family.  He was brought up as a member of Bell Hill Church and was saved at a young age.  He later became a member of the Monticello Church of the Nazarene and worked on its construction with his sons Steve and Mac.  Over the years he volunteered countless hours of his time, materials, and his construction skills at the church including building the park, the fellowship hall, the parsonage, numerous renovations, and just last year was tending to the rock display he built that sits on the hillside next to the church.  He received a Distinguished Service Award in 2013 for his service to the church.  After his wife passed in 2006, he along with his son Mac and grandson Brian, constructed a large memorial in his yard for his wife and son Marty, that became a local landmark.  He was very proud of it, and shared pictures and the story of how it came to be with folks far and wide.  His work was also featured in the Wayne County Outlook.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife Joy Ruth Kidd Foster, sons Marty Kay Foster and Stephen Harold Foster, siblings Elva Bell, Gilbert (Gib), Gale, Arnold (Ray), Clifford (Pete), Curtis (Curt), Kermit (Kerm), Howard, Boyce Dean, and Lowell Thomas (Tom).

Left to cherish his memory are siblings Gleason, Jo Carol (Hallis) Koger, son Mac (Patricia) Foster, grandchildren Stephen (Katie), Jennifer (Chris), Joshua, Brian (Elizabeth), and Andrea (Brian) Jones, great grandchildren Kalan, Kieran, Sloan, Bryce, Brentley, Bristol,  Charli, Alivia, Eli, Jaxon, Liam, and Zoe, and a whole host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, his church family, and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 5, 2025, between 5 pm – 8 pm in the chapel of the funeral home.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 11 am at the Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Elk Spring Cemetery.

Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home in charge of the arrangements.