Thomas Edward Forrest
Thomas Edward Forrest, of Slippery Rock Township went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ unexpectedly Sunday while visiting family in Alexandria, Va. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and serviceman.
Born in Grove City Feb. 22, 1957, he was the son of Thomas H. and Berta M. (Winger) Forrest. He married Amy Beth Fedor Feb. 25, 1977. They were married for 41 years.
Tom worked for Cooper Energy for 23 years as a machinist until its closing. Later, he was employed as a correctional officer for five years and then he became a state parole agent with the Pennsylvania Board of Parole until his retirement.
He recently received his master's degree in criminal justice from Slippery Rock University and was soon to start teaching criminology at Clarion University.
Tom and his wife, Amy, attended Park Gate Baptist Church in Ellwood City.
He enjoyed his family and spending time with them, especially with his grandson, Maxwell. He enjoyed the Christmas season and his Christmas light display he worked on every year.
An Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, he retired from the Pennsylvania National Guard as a first sergeant with 29 years of honorable service. He was awarded his combat service patch with the 16th MP Airborne Brigade. He was also awarded the following Army awards, Combat Action Badge, Meritorious Service Medal, five Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, Pennsylvania Meritorious Service Medal, Pennsylvania Commendational Medal and several other awards. He was a member of the 107th FA and was an instructor for the 166th Regt Combat Arms. He was also a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara for his lifetime commitment to Field Artillery. He was proud to be a lifetime member of VFW Post 6231, Slippery Rock and was a member of American Legion Post 0393 in Slippery Rock.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 92 in Pittsburgh.
Survivors include his wife, Amy, at home; his sons, Benjamin Forrest and wife, Lisa, of Alexandria, Va., and Brandon Forrest and wife, Jennifer, of Ellwood City; his grandson, Maxwell Thomas Forrest of Alexandria, Va.; three sisters, Tammi Barkley and husband Bob, of New Castle, Susan Ifft and husband Tom, of Port St. Lucie, Fla., and Donna Mcfeaters and husband Rick, of Sandy Lake. Many loving nieces, nephews and cousins also survive Tom.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Berta M. Gould; his father, Thomas H. Forrest; his stepmother, Dorothy Forrest; and his nephew, Carl Felix.
Tom was a kind and giving man who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. His family is proud of his honorable service to our nation.
FORREST — Visitation hours for Thomas Edward Forrest, who died Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday at Cunningham Funeral Home, Grove City.Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home with Pastor Michael Charles officiating.Burial will take place in Harmony Cemetery with military honors.In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Tom's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project.
