Gary Lee Forester

Gary Lee Forester, age 79, passed away at his home in Navarre, Florida on May 14, 2025.
He was born in Eldorado, Illinois to John and Bernice Allen Forester on March 15,1946 and moved to Pontiac, Michigan in 1948. He graduated from Pontiac Northern High School in 1964. After a first marriage to Mary Ellen Forester, he married Nancy Adams Yerkes in 1993.
After a couple early jobs selling life insurance and working at General Motors, he became a sheriff deputy with Oakland County Sheriff Department in Pontiac, Michigan. He enjoyed being a deputy and enjoyed his co-workers. Many who worked with him in the 90's ended up with a good "Forester" story. After 28 years, he retired from the sheriff department and moved with his wife Nancy to Navarre, Florida. Gary was a member of the Holley-Navarre Elks #2787 where he served as an Exalted Ruler and several years as Secretary. He had also been a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose International, the Men's Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a lifetime member of the Oakland County Retirees Association. He converted to Catholicism and was a member of St. Sylvester's Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida. He enjoyed boating, traveling and relaxing on the beach.
Gary is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Navarre, Florida, his son, Michael Raymond Forester, of Rochester Hills, Michigan and cousin, Sheila Gass, of Eldorado Illinois. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Dr. Breanne Yerkes of Phoenix, AZ, Haley Yerkes of Phoenix, AZ, Kennedy Yerkes and Brian Yerkes of Hacienda Heights, California and Kyle Bailey of Pontiac, Michigan. He is also survived by great grandchildren Atticus Yerkes of Phoenix, AZ and Amelia Yerkes of Hacienda Heights, California. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernice Forester, his sister, Sherry Forester, his son Gary Roy Forester and stepson, Brian Allen Yerkes.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Sylvester's Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Florida to be announced at a later date. In leu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to St. Sylvester's Catholic Church.
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