Forrest Brent Sibley SSgt

1983 - 2015

Forrest Brent Sibley



Our beloved son, brother, and patriot, Forrest Brent Sibley, lost his life in the service of God and country on August 26, 2015 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He was deployed with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron USAF, on his fourth deployment. He completed Combat Control School at Pope Army Airfield, Combat Dive School, Airborne, Military Freefall School and was a Joint Terminal Attack Controller. Forrest's mission was liaison for Air-To-Ground Precision Guided Munitions for Special Operations Close Air Support.

He was a born leader and, as an avid outdoorsman, loved to hunt and fish with his Dad and Grandfather. He was naturally curious, patient, fearless, and wanted to experience life as he saw it. Forrest loved all sports, especially college football as a Florida Gator fan.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, Forrest grew up with his father and sister and later moved to Alabama where he graduated from Appalachian High School in Oneonta. His sister, Jordan, describes Forrest as her best friend, strongest supporter, and loving brother. Forrest was proud of his younger brother Spenser Fernandez, who followed in his footsteps becoming a Senior Airman serving as an Air Traffic Controller at Holloman AFB.

Initially assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Forrest deployed to a variety of locales, including Afghanistan and Africa. He was awarded four Bronze Stars, one with the 'V' device and received two Purple Hearts and the Air Force Commendation medal.

Forrest is survived by his loving parents, Brent Sibley and Suzi Fernandez, his sister Jordan Sibley, his brother Spenser Fernandez, step-brother Justin Fernandez, grandparents Raiford and Betty Jo Sibley, grandmother Rita Riffel, aunts Lori Lanier, Amy Schnupp, uncles Bryan (Buzz) Sibley, Dale Sibley, SGM Kurt Schnupp, (Ret.), Eric Schnupp and Hannah Grace Broz, Forrest's love and confidant. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, retired Army Colonel Regis Schnupp.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2015 at the Naval Aviation Memorial Chapel, Pensacola NAS, 131 Moffitt Rd. Building 1982, Pensacola, Fl. 32508, from 2- 5 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the same location Wednesday at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, 1 Cemetery Rd. Pensacola, FL. 325087, under the direction of Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Rd., NE., Fort Walton Beach, FL. 32547.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the

Combat Control Association (CCA)

https://usafcca.org/mdb/donations/

Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed online at www.emeraldcoastfuneralhome.com

Express your condolences in our guestbook at pnj.com/obits