Norman Douglas Forbes' Obituary
Norman D. Forbes found his identity in Jesus alone, whose hand gently ushered him into eternal life May 31, 2017 in Tacoma, WA after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer two months earlier. He died at home in the presence of this loving and devoted wife Eleanor and son Howard. He was eighty years old.
Norm was born on October 22nd, 1936 in Aberdeen, Washington to Col. Robert Walston Forbes and Naomi “Hope” Briedwell. Five years later they moved to Ft. Worden which included older brother, Robert B. Forbes Phd. When WWII began, Norm and his mother moved to Watsonvillle, CA. In 1946 they returned to WA, living at Camp Murrey where Norm’s father was Assist. Adj. General. Norm graduated from Clover Park High School in 1954. Playing clarinet in band began a lifelong love of music. Norm joined and served in the Washington Army National Guard in in 41st Signal for nine years. Norm attended Oregon State then finished at the University of Washington in Business. At the UW Norm joined Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity and was president of pledge class of ‘56.
During the summer, he worked at Mt. Rainier where he met a kindred spirit of the mountains who was also working her summer breaks at Paradise and the romance began that lead to marriage in 1962 and lasted 54 years.
Being a self-starter and having a strong desire to help people, Norm found his niche early in life when he became active in sales in the transportation industry where he served for over 40 years. Norm loved to consider “possibilities” with people and was a strong encourager as well as a great listener.
Norm’s special interests include taking his friends and family to church…First Covenant in Tacoma, and Auburn Bible Baptist (Grace Community Church), and to Bible Study Fellowship, caring for his German Shepherds, participating in sports, skiing with family, running, hiking, climbing Mt. Rainier and other peaks, fishing, and golfing with family and friends.
He was a member of the Tyee Club and has been blessed by Consolidated Freightways giving him season tickets to every major sport in Seattle. Norm loved history and travel. His favorite ocean vacation was spent for many summers on the Oregon Coast especially at Neskowin, Lincoln City Oregon. In recent years some of his favorite times were eating with former clients, now life time friends, and talking about sports. He enjoyed his son’s bar-b-cue at their cabin on the Puget Sound.
He is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanor, sons Scott (Jo) and Howard and grandchildren Teagan and Jackson.
Memorial Services will be held at Mountain View Funeral Home Garden Chapel Friday, June 23rd at 2:00 PM with viewing from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Committal service will immediately follow behind the chapel. Family and friends are kindly invited.
Special thanks to Franciscan Hospice. Gifts in memory of Norm can be made to the Tacoma Rescue Mission PO Box 1912 Tacoma, WA 98401
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