David James Forsyth

David James Forsyth, of Magnolia, Washington, passed away peacefully at age 84 at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle. Dave was born on November 30, 1939, in Havre, MT. He was raised in Chinook, Montana, Moses Lake, Washington, and Belle Fourche, South Dakota- communities where the U&I Sugar Company employed his father. Dave graduated from high school in Belle Fourche and completed his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wyoming. Dave was a lifelong fan of his beloved Wyoming Cowboys.

Following his university studies in finance, Dave was hired by General Electric (GE) Credit in Denver, CO and later transferred to GE's Los Angeles offices where he worked for several years. Dave later transitioned to a very successful career in construction surety bonds and moved to Seattle, Washington where he retired with USI Insurance after 40 years in the business. Dave is remembered by his colleagues as always treating those around him with respect and dignity. This was an attribute that Dave did not leave in his briefcase at the end of the day. His interactions with family, friends, neighbors, and the underserved were always genuine and selfless.

Dave was an amazingly devoted husband, a lovable and always laughing grandpa, an inspirational and supportive uncle, a strong and vulnerable brother, and a best friend to so many. Dave and his brother, Pete, remained best friends throughout the years, especially when it came to the Washington State University Cougars and the Seattle Mariners. Dave loved baseball and could often be found taking a restful nap in his usual seat near 3rd base at Safeco Field. Dave truly cherished his relationship with Pete's kids, Brent, Ryan, and Meghan. He was always proud of the great things being accomplished in their lives and relished sharing their stories with others.

In the spring of 1998, Dave became reacquainted with a former Belle Fourche High School classmate, JoAn Edwards Daniels-Brown, and the two fell in love and were married on November 14, 1998, in Moses Lake. Dave, a lifelong bachelor, instantly inherited a brood of children and grandchildren who quickly grew to adore Grandpa Dave as a loving and wise father figure. At his passing, Grandpa Dave, and the late JoAn Forsyth counted, as theirs, 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Dave, who was also known as Big Bobo and a grandfather alongside Pete to his honorary grandchildren Jacob Joseph, Hudson Ryan, Bennett Peter and his latest namesake Levi David.



Dave and JoAn were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and deeply loved their faith and enjoyed serving in the church. They particularly enjoyed serving a mission together assisting students at Brigham Young University/Idaho network with potential employers in the Northwest. They also served as welfare specialists assisting those who were experiencing homelessness and financial stress to find resources. For several years, they served in the church's Bellevue Temple and made many cherished friends there. Dave and JoAn loved the members of their local congregation in Magnolia.

Dave was truly aware of and cared about disadvantaged individuals. He could see their potential and how to point them to it. He would seek out opportunities to mentor high school students preparing for college and contributed to college scholarship funds. Dave and JoAn were always checking on the elderly in their neighborhood ensuring they were not left alone. They were surrounded by the most loving and mindful neighbors who faithfully checked in on them during their later years. When JoAn was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, caring neighbors and fellow church members were quick to lend assistance during that difficult time. JoAn passed away at home on October 4, 2022. Dave was also preceded in death by his loving parents, William James Forsyth, Ella Nelson Forsyth, and his nephew and namesake, Ryan David Forsyth. Dave is survived by his brother, S. Peter Forsyth (Kathryn), nephew Brent Forsyth (Jacquie) and their son, and niece Meghan Forsyth (Austin), and their three children. He is also survived by his step-children, Stephen Daniels-Brown (Celeste), Glade Daniels-Brown, Talana Mielke (Terry), Dallerie Daniels-Brown, and Roman Daniels-Brown (Patrice).

Dave's immediate family will hold a private gathering in place of a funeral at Dave's request. He will be buried at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Moses Lake. If desired, the family invites you to make donations in Dave's name to the Swedish Foundation (https://swedishfoundation.org) or the American Cancer Society (https://www.cancer.org/about-us/local/washington.html).