Forrest Sisk Sr.

Mr. Forrest Jackson Sisk, Sr., age 86, of Dahlonega, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007, at Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville following a brief illness. Born July 12, 1920, in Toccoa, Georgia, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jackson Sisk. Mr. Sisk was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen Sisk, and brother, Otis Sisk. His life and post war activities closely mirrored those of millions of other members of the “Greatest Generation” who got the job done and returned home to raise their families and build their communities. After high school, Forrest graduated from Gupton-Jones Mortuary College where he gained the knowledge that was to become his life's work. He stood in line on Monday, December 8, 1941 to enlist in the U.S. Army after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor the previous day. Forrest was proud of his military service, but resisted all efforts of family members to learn about his service. We were able to learn that he served with distinction as a medic in the Pacific Theater and received several unit and individual decorations including a Bronze Star. One of his patrols discovered the body of the Japanese Admiral Yamamoto after his plane was shot down in a carefully planned ambush by U.S. air power. Yamamoto was the mastermind behind the attack on Pearl Harbor and verification of his demise gave a morale boost to the U.S. war effort. After World War II, Mr. Sisk worked in the funeral business in Franklin, N.C., Hartwell, and Gainesville, GA. In 1951, he moved with his wife and family to Dahlonega to manage Vickers Funeral Home. In the mid-seventies, he and his partner, Mr. Bill Vickers, were able to purchase the business from Hubert Vickers to establish Vickers-Sisk Funeral Home. Mr. Sisk was elected as Lumpkin County coroner in 1952 and held that position for 40 years. In 1957, Forrest was proud to become a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank of Dahlonega. After the Bank of Dahlonega was acquired by Century South Banks, he held the same position on that board until 1991. Forrest was very active in community affairs and had a deep love for Dahlonega and Lumpkin County. This interest led him to become an active member of the Dahlonega Lions Club for 45 years where he served as treasurer for 41 years. In 1998, he received the Melvin Jones Fellowship award which is the highest recognition a Lion can receive by the Lions Club International Foundation. Other civic interests included charter member and past director of the Dahlonega/Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce; charter member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5533; member and past commander of the Heyward Fields American Legion Post; Blue Mt. Lodge #38 A&FM; and Georgia Sheriff's Association. Mr. Sisk was a member of Dahlonega Baptist Church. Survivors include his son, Jack Sisk, Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Al Ward, Dacula; grandchildren and spouses, Dr. Chad and Sandi Sisk, Columbus; Angela and Steve Davis, Dahlonega; Gus and Amy Ward, Virginia Beach; three great-grandchildren, Zachary and Matthew Sisk and Hannah Davis; other loved ones including Kathy and Bill Lassiter; and caregivers Betty Cantrell and Linda Westmoreland. Funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Dahlonega Baptist Church, with the remains placed in state at the church at 1pm. The Rev. Dean Bryant and Dr. Robert Green will officiate with interment to follow in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 pm on Thursday and Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Home, Inc., P.O. Box 1000, Stockbridge, GA 30281, or to the charity of one's choice. Wards Funeral Home, 758 Main St., Gainesville in charge of arrangements, 770-534-5351.