Dennis Donn Forsyth

Dennis Forsyth Obituary

Dennis Donn Forsyth January 8, 1940 - April 18, 2009 SALEM - Dennis passed away on Saturday, April 18 at Salem Hospital of complications of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) after a 10 year struggle with this disease. He was born in Greeley, Colo. the son of Fred and Shirley (Bidwell) Forsyth. Later the family moved to El Paso, Texas where he attended Austin High School. He entered the U.S. Air Force in 1960. In 1959, Dennis married Georgia Gardner. They had 3 children, Donna, Lori and Chuck. They later divorced. Dennis had a 35 year career in radio broadcasting and loved every minute of it. He worked stations in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, Arizona and KYKN in Salem. Dennis married Marilyn Dawson in 1990 and acquired an extended family. He loved them like his own. He was an avid NASCAR fan. He enjoyed "Happy Hour" on the deck in the summer with a can of Coors Light. He especially loved trips in his motor home to a different destination every time and to go down a road he had never been on just to see what was there. Dennis was a sweet and gentle man and never said an unkind word about anyone. He never forgot to say "I Love You". He was always good natured and had the most wonderful sense of humor even towards the end. He was a member of both Keizer and Salem Eagles. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Ian. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Donna Montelongo (Jaime) of El Paso, Texas, Lori Chambers (Ken) of Chase, Mich.; son, Chuck (Anese) of Odessa, Texas; sisters, Mary Jo Mobbs (John) of Alamogordo, N.M. and Betsy Howell of El Paso. He is also survived by his extended family: Jeannine and Bryan Nelson, Julie Patch, Jim and Robin Patch; grandchildren are Joey, Sarah, David, Elizabeth, Casey, Tricia, Wyatt, Derek, Dustin, Taylor and Chad; and one great-grandchild on the way. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Sosha; several nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Kay Holmes; and brother-in-law, Rich Redel. A memorial service will be 4 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service. A reception will follow. His ashes will be interred at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland. Donations may be made in Dennis' memory to the COPD Foundation, 2937 SW 27th Ave., Ste 302, Miami, Fla. 33133 or the Willamette Valley Humane Society.

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Published by The Statesman Journal on Apr. 21, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Forsyth

9 Entries

Susan Close

May 3, 2009

Dennis will always hold a special place in our hearts. Susan, Summer and Jamie

Carlos Teran

April 24, 2009

For the past 12 years I have worked for
KSII, KROD, AND KELP RADIO, as a traffic
reporter. Prior to that, I worked for 25
years at KAMA RADIO as a D.J. The reason I mention this is that the man
responsible for giving me my first start
in radio was Dennis. At the time, he was
a sales executive with KAMA RADIO, and he
believed in me. For this, I will always
be grateful to him. My sincere condolences to his family.

Isela (Romero) Gallardo

April 23, 2009

Like Marcos, my brother, stated, there are so many good memories of Denny, it's impossible to write them. I also knew Denny as we grew up in El Paso. I remember being so proud that I knew him and Johnny Garmon when they were in "Our Town". He always had a smile for everyone. And he loved to tease. He had a special relationship with my mother 'cause they shared their birthday, and he send her good wishes every year until she passed away in '03. We'll all miss you, my Friend! My condolences to all family and friends.

Don Kirkpatrick

April 23, 2009

All of us who knew Dennis are fortunate to have shared a few moments with him. As Johnny Thompson said, "Dennis was one of the good guys." He was that and more.

You have my sincere condolences on your loss and my envy for having Dennis with you for so many years.

Allen Walters

April 23, 2009

We didn't know Mr. Forsyth but we do know Chuck and are very sorry for your loss.
Best wishes and prayers for the Family and Friends...
Our thoughts are with you all.

Wendell A. Clark

April 22, 2009

I feel for your loss, if I can be of assistance feel free to call, my thoughts and prayers are with you and all whom were touched by your father.
In deepest sympathy and fraternal love?
Wendell A. Clark and family

Marcos Romero

April 21, 2009

Denny's Family
Denny was my friend since the fifth grade at Rusk Elementary. We grew up together along with other kids in the neighborhood. When Denny got his first DJ job at KELP,we would go and listen to him and John Garmon do the news. When they went off the air, we would go hangout somewhere and enjoy life. There's just too many good memories and good times to cover here. We'll miss you, ole buddy.
God Bless.........
Marcos Romero and Tencha

Don Sloan

April 21, 2009

Family of Dennis;

I was fortunate to have met and worked with Dennis at KELP radio in El Paso Texas in the old days back in 1962-1965.
Dennis has many colleagues spread across the globe. He was a wonderful person to all that knew him and will be missed greatly. The world has far too few like Dennis. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of great loss. God bless you.
Don Sloan

Rich Foster

April 21, 2009

Dear Family of Dennis:

In 1988, I was hired as General Manager of KYKN at the ripe old age of 29. When I came to the radio station I found Dennis, Charlie (aka Martin), and Dick Bond. With this line-up of seasoned talent I could have been discounted, dismissed, or distanced. But this was not their style, they accepted me warmly.

When I discovered that Dennis had done virtually every job in radio that could be done, I turned to him often for advice. He pretty much always told me to just trust my instincts.

He was the epitome of a sweet man. I appreciated his talent, humor, and support. Often as I drove into the parking lot and Dennis and Charley were bantering, Dennis would say something like, "I hope the boss isn't listening." Then when I would pop my head into the hallway outside the studio he would look at me with that smile that encompassed his whole being (especially his eyes).

My best wishes go out to you and I hope you know how lucky we all were to know Dennis.

Best wishes,

Rich Foster

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