Nathan Bedford Forrest

Nathan Bedford Forrest, 25, of Orem, Utah (formerly of Olathe, Kansas) lost his life in an airplane accident during flight testing Tuesday, July 25, 2006. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 30, 2006 at the DeSoto United Methodist Church in DeSoto, Kansas. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday at the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home. Cremation. The family suggests contributions to the Nathan Bedford Forrest Memorial Fund (aviation related endeavors) c/o the funeral home and/or Operation Wild Life 23375 Guthrie, Linwood, KS 66052. To leave a special message for the family please visit our website at www.penwellgabel.com. Nathan was born December 31, 1980 in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in Olathe, Kansas most of his life. He was a 1999 graduate of Olathe North High School where he played both football and baseball. He was also a member of the Debate team. He graduated Magna Cum Laude at Wichita State University in 2003 receiving his Aerospace Engineering degree. While in college he had his own plane and gave flight lessons throughout his college career. In June of 2003, following graduation, he was employed by Adam Aircraft as an aeronautical engineer and test pilot. In May of 2006 he joined Spectrum Aeronautical in Spanish Fork, Utah as a test pilot for an upcoming twin engine jet. Nathan was a member and chaplain of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at Wichita State University. He was a member of the International Flight Instructor Association and the DeSoto United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather; Edwin Hockett and paternal grandparents; Susie and Hoyt Forrest. He leaves his parents; Hugh Forrest and Pat Hockett of Olathe, maternal grandmother; Alice Hockett in Mound Valley, KS, his companion; Melissa Vannoy, aunts and uncles; Susan Grove, Larry Hockett, Sandy Dyke, Bonnie Wells, Marie Addison, Debra Rapson, and Diana Hockett, and many cousins.