John Martin Foster passed away on January 22nd, 2026 leaving behind a legacy of dedication to justice and service to the underserved that left an indelible mark on York County and beyond.
Born on January 3, 1950 to John Martin Foster, Sr. and Catherine Aycock Foster, Martin’s roots ran deep in York. He was a proud 1968 graduate of York High School, where his journey toward a life of service began. From York, he traveled to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning his undergraduate degree in 1972, before returning to his beloved South Carolina to attend the University of South Carolina School of Law, graduating in 1976. For nearly five decades, he practiced law with a singular devotion-not to personal gain, but to ensuring that even those without resources had access to justice.
Martin established his own law firm in Rock Hill, where he became known as an attorney for those who had nowhere else to turn. He served as Guardian ad Litem for the indigent, standing
up for incarcerated individuals and others whom society often overlooked. A fellow attorney’s peer review captured Martin’s essence perfectly, noting that he quote “represents much of what is good about lawyers.” He cared deeply-about his clients, about his cases, and about the law itself. His fees were remarkably low, and more often than not, he simply didn’t bother to collect
them. What mattered to Martin wasn’t compensation; it was doing what was right. Those long hours spent in research, that tenacious pursuit of every possibility-these were the
hallmarks of Martin’s practice. He didn’t seek the easy cases or the profitable ones. He sought the cases where justice hung in the balance, where someone’s life depended on having an
advocate who truly cared. Even when health issues began to slow him in 2024, Martin’s commitment to his clients and his calling never wavered.
Martin found his spiritual home at First Presbyterian Church of York where he sang in the choir for many years and served as an elder. This church has long stood as a pillar of service in
York-supporting the Children’s Home, York Hospital, and championing civil rights during some of our nation’s most difficult years. It was a fitting spiritual home for a man who lived out his faith through service to others. The Gothic spires of that historic church on West Liberty Street have watched over York for more than 160 years, witnessing generations of faithful servants. Martin Foster took his place among them-a quiet champion of the forgotten, a tireless advocate for justice, a man who measured success not by what he accumulated but by how many lives he touched.
Though Martin had no immediate living family, he was loved by his cousins: Dr. Bill Aycock of Gastonia and John Aycock of Myrtle Beach on his mother’s side, and Dr. Anne Caveny of Ohio,
Gene Caveny of McConnells, and Steve Caveny of McConnells on his father’s side. He carried forward the legacy of the Foster and Aycock families, honoring their names through his life of
integrity and service.
Martin embodied the highest ideals of the legal profession. From his days at York High School through nearly fifty years of legal practice, he demonstrated what it means to use one’s gifts in
service to others. His legacy is written not in legal victories alone, but in changed lives, in dignity restored, and in justice served.
Services will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of York, 10 West Liberty Street, York, SC 29745, where Martin’s faith and commitment to serving others found their truest expression. Your kindness and thoughtfulness during this time of remembrance are deeply appreciated by his family and all whose lives he touched.
Friends and family are invited to share condolences online at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.
Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is honored to serve the Foster family.
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