Final Salute

Gary Earl Forbes was the son of the late Earl and Elizabeth Park Forbes born on January 21, 1946 in St. Louis, Missouri. He retired in 1997 from twenty-two years of service in the Navy as a Chief Corpsman and in 2020 retired from twenty-three years as a healthcare instructor.

He was a faithful member of Coast City Assembly of God serving twenty years as a church deacon. He also served as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the worship team for many years and enjoyed his men’s ministry class.

Gary was a man who loved his Heavenly Father and lived his life loving those around him. He was selfless, adventurous, and lived life to the fullest. He enjoyed traveling to visit relatives, exploring small towns and spending time with his family and grandchildren. Gary made the best sweet tea, loved setting up his Christmas town, making breakfast and cookies for the family and created fabulous ice cream cakes. Gary loved desserts, “dad” jokes, laughing, and singing. He was a man who could be relied on and was rarely without a smile on his face. He knew no strangers. He was eager to assist with any medical questions at any time of day or night, loved teaching, adored his students, and was honored by being voted Teacher of the Year. He generously gave of his time, money, and talents. He loved his tools, trips to Home Depot and thoroughly enjoyed fixing things and working on projects for his family and friends because he loved to feel needed. He had a gentle spirit and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He did everything with joy, never out of obligation. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

He went home to be with Jesus on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at the age of 76.

Gary is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Victoria Forbes; doting daughters Amy Rivera and her husband, Lawrence of Norfolk, VA, Diana Holcomb and her husband, David of Dayton, TN, Tina Styron and her husband, Ryan of Virginia Beach, VA, Shelley Forbes and Tammy Forbes of Virginia Beach, VA; adoring grandchildren Brianna Styron and her husband, Kyle, Coryn Pino and her husband, Miles, Kelsey Rivera, Haleigh Rivera, Noah Forbes, Emma Styron, Elena Styron, Wesley Styron, Isabella Holcomb, Anastasia Holcomb, and Jonathan Gul; admiring great-grandchildren Caleb Styron and Catelyn Styron; sister Carole Dean and her husband, Bill of Cuba, MO; brother Douglas Forbes and his wife, Linda of Two Rivers, WI; and cousins. Gary will be deeply missed.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

To send flowers to Gary’s family, please visit our floral store.