Forrest Edgerton Shattuck

Forrest Edgerton Shattuck of Orange, Calif., passed away on February 19, 2024, with family by his side. He is survived by his wife Diane, children Scott and Steve, grandchildren Tyler, Kaitie, and Cole, great grandchildren Cora, Noelle, and Josephine, brother Norm, and niece Kathleen.
Forrest was born on August 24, 1937, in Los Angeles, Calif., to George and Vernice Shattuck. After the family moved south to the city of Orange, he graduated from Orange High School, where he stood out as a trumpet player in the school band, in 1955. He went on to earn a bachelor's degree from UCLA and a master's degree in education from Cal State University Fullerton. While at UCLA, Forrest and Diane met, and were married in 1960. Their home was always a "UCLA Bruins house." Staying close to home, he began teaching in the Orange Unified School District, and within two years moved into administration as elementary school Principal. He served the community in this capacity for nearly 40 years.
As an educator, he often had weeks available during the summer, when he took his family on RV trips around western North America. National parks were typically among their destinations, as he enjoyed the beauty and peace of the outdoors, as well as the wildlife. These adventures inspired a passion for photography, which he explored for decades. Hundreds of rolls of Kodachrome later, he captured a lifetime of memories featuring family activities, his sons' and grandchildren's sporting events, cars, landscapes, and dozens of trips around the country he and Diane took once they retired.
The couple spent many summers in one of their favorite areas, Shasta County, Calf., where they bought property near a lifelong friend of Forrest's. Later, they transitioned this home-away-from-home to Big Bear, Calif., a much shorter trip from Orange and a favorite gathering place for the whole family.
Pets were always, and continue to be, beloved members of the family. Forrest's respect for nature and animals also influenced his philanthropic interests. He supported multiple charities that rescued and cared for animals, particularly wild horses in Shasta County and a rescue zoo in Big Bear.
Cars were a central theme throughout his life. His father's inclination to modify cars rubbed off on him at an early age, and he continually sought cooler, faster, and better handling vehicles - from a '41 Ford two-door coupe when he was in high school to a more powerful engine in a '64 Ford Falcon wagon for Diane's around-town commuting. Their garage in Orange was also home to a '56 Chevy, a '62 Corvette, and a '03 Mustang Saleen SC. He chose a '65 Mustang to teach his sons how to work on cars, and together they upgraded the engine, suspension, and wheels and tires. That fast car served Scott's and Steve's high school commutes and teenage troublemaking, as well as Forrest's own inner Dale Earnhardt.
His fascination with motor sports also fueled the family's off-road motorcycle-riding hobby, when they loaded the bikes in the truck and explored the local desert from dawn to dusk - one of Forrest's interests that have influenced Shattuck generations following him.
Forrest is remembered for his intelligence, humility, kindness, dry sense of humor, and respectful treatment of others - qualities that developed trust and respect among friends, colleagues, and acquaintances.
Services will be held at Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary (1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, Calif., 92705) on March 23, 2024, at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to an animal rescue or shelter of choice.