Obituary for Howard Charles Forrest
Howard Charles Forrest, 95 of McGehee, AR, peacefully passed away on July 9, 2021.
He was born on August 4, 1925, in Greenway, AR to the late Auda and Meda Forrest. He graduated from high school at 16, then lied about his age to join the Navy during World War II. He first served on an oil tanker moving oil and gas from Aruba to Newfoundland. He was then transferred to Washington, DC where he worked in the office of the OSS, the forerunner of the CIA. After the war, he returned to Greenway and married Elberta, the love of his life. He went to the University of Arkansas on the GI bill and obtained a degree in agriculture. He later attended Arkansas State to obtain a masters degree in Education. He taught “agri” and shop at Greenway High School for several years, then took a job with the Farmers Home Administration. He was initially assigned to Morrilton, but transferred in 1970 to McGehee. He retired at 65, then almost immediately took a job with the Land Bank and then moved to McGehee State Bank, working part time in their loan department where he worked until well into his 80's.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many happy hours working in his extensive garden full of vegetables and flowers. Many people looked forward to him showing up at the bank with a bucket of tomatoes and cucumbers. He also loved wood working and made clocks for each of his daughters, grandsons, and niece.
He was a dedicated Christian and faithfully attended every service. He has been a member of the McGehee Church of Christ for over 50 years and was an elder there for many years. His family is at peace knowing he is now with the God he loved so much.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Elberta Forrest, just over a month ago. They were true soul mates. Howard is survived by his daughter Kaye Keady and by his daughter Judy Box and her husband David Box. He was well loved by his 4 grandsons, Richard Keady of Montgomery, TX, Robert Keady and his wife Wendy of Pollock, LA, Forrest Box and his wife Erica of McGehee, AR, and Jacob Box and his wife Britney, also of McGehee, AR. He was blessed with 6 great grandsons, Connor, Aiden, and Liam Keady of Pollock, LA, and Noah, Beau, and Brody Box of McGehee, AR and one great granddaughter Leigh Henri Box also of McGehee. He is also survived by two brothers, Ray and Bob Forrest of Kansas City, MO as well as many nephews and nieces. : He will be sorely missed by his extended family and many friends.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, July10,2021 at McArthur cemetery with Rickey Eppes presiding. Memorials may be sent to Children’s Homes, Inc, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450 or to your favorite charity.
He was born on August 4, 1925, in Greenway, AR to the late Auda and Meda Forrest. He graduated from high school at 16, then lied about his age to join the Navy during World War II. He first served on an oil tanker moving oil and gas from Aruba to Newfoundland. He was then transferred to Washington, DC where he worked in the office of the OSS, the forerunner of the CIA. After the war, he returned to Greenway and married Elberta, the love of his life. He went to the University of Arkansas on the GI bill and obtained a degree in agriculture. He later attended Arkansas State to obtain a masters degree in Education. He taught “agri” and shop at Greenway High School for several years, then took a job with the Farmers Home Administration. He was initially assigned to Morrilton, but transferred in 1970 to McGehee. He retired at 65, then almost immediately took a job with the Land Bank and then moved to McGehee State Bank, working part time in their loan department where he worked until well into his 80's.
He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He spent many happy hours working in his extensive garden full of vegetables and flowers. Many people looked forward to him showing up at the bank with a bucket of tomatoes and cucumbers. He also loved wood working and made clocks for each of his daughters, grandsons, and niece.
He was a dedicated Christian and faithfully attended every service. He has been a member of the McGehee Church of Christ for over 50 years and was an elder there for many years. His family is at peace knowing he is now with the God he loved so much.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Elberta Forrest, just over a month ago. They were true soul mates. Howard is survived by his daughter Kaye Keady and by his daughter Judy Box and her husband David Box. He was well loved by his 4 grandsons, Richard Keady of Montgomery, TX, Robert Keady and his wife Wendy of Pollock, LA, Forrest Box and his wife Erica of McGehee, AR, and Jacob Box and his wife Britney, also of McGehee, AR. He was blessed with 6 great grandsons, Connor, Aiden, and Liam Keady of Pollock, LA, and Noah, Beau, and Brody Box of McGehee, AR and one great granddaughter Leigh Henri Box also of McGehee. He is also survived by two brothers, Ray and Bob Forrest of Kansas City, MO as well as many nephews and nieces. : He will be sorely missed by his extended family and many friends.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, July10,2021 at McArthur cemetery with Rickey Eppes presiding. Memorials may be sent to Children’s Homes, Inc, 5515 Walcott Road, Paragould, AR 72450 or to your favorite charity.