Max James Forbes

Max J. Forbes, Jr., a longtime resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, peacefully passed away on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born on August 28, 1930, in Hammond to parents Max J. Forbes, Sr. and Mildred Agnes Wolf.

Max enlisted in the U.S. Navy in his late teens and proudly served four years of active duty on the destroyer USS Cone through late 1952. Max married the love of his life, Joy Schmidt Forbes, in November 1953, and they soon after settled in Baton Rouge. Over the years, the family grew with the addition of their children Jimmy and Sharon.

Following graduation from LSU in 1960, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Max went to work with the U.S. Geological Survey where he worked as a hydrologist until his retirement at the age of 55. During his years working with the USGS, Max continued to follow his passion for military service as he served 30 years in the Coast Guard Reserves, rising to the rank of Captain. Following retirement, Max used his hydrologist background for many years doing consulting work for multiple industrial clients and for the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.

The early years of Max’s marriage and family life saw many adventures, including annual camping trips to the Great Smoky Mountains, extended work/family camping trips in Flagstaff, Arizona and Yorktown, Virginia, and the purchase of 40 acres of rural property (“The Cove”) an hour north of Baton Rouge. Max was an avid reader and gifted writer of poetry and was often called upon at work or family gatherings to create the perfect poem for the occasion. He was always a country boy at heart and felt as comfortable bushhogging on his Fordson Major tractor or reading the latest copies of “Independent Sawmill and Woodlot Management” and “Mother Earth News” as he did drawing hydrologic graphs. Max was a great fan of LSU sports – especially baseball. And he was also appreciative of an eclectic mix of music styles including James Taylor, Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, and the Eagles. And finally, Max was a man of prayer and of faith, as he served God privately in his writings and relationships, and publicly in his church life as Sunday School teacher, administrator, and trusted leader.

Max is preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Joy; his parents Max Sr. and Mildred Forbes; and his granddaughter Lauren Williford.

He is survived by his children Sharon Graves (Tommy) and Jimmy Forbes (Chris); his brother Don Forbes; his beloved grandchildren Ashley Graves, Katelyn Graves, Barrett Beam, and Jamie Forbes; and by many other loving family members and friends.

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Sunrise of Baton Rouge, the staff of Hospice of Baton Rouge, the staff and members of University Baptist Church, and the ladies of My Guardian Angel – all of whom gave such loving care to Max during the last year.

The family would also like to invite all who knew and loved Max to join us as we commemorate his life. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway in Baton Rouge. A Visitation will be held at the funeral home beginning at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory.