David Roy Fort

\David Roy Fort, a 36 year resident of the hi-desert, died peacefully in his Yucca Valley home on Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at the age of 86. Born on August 1, 1924 in Missoula, Mont. to Thomas Roy Fort and Ada Blanche Wood Fort, he spent his entire life working in the construction industry. He was vice-president of construction on such notable developments as Coronado Cays and Rancho Bernardo in California & Leisure World in Rockville, Md. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943-1946. A World War II Veteran, he was decorated for extracting key information that was instrumental in saving lives during the liberation of Guam. He also received a Purple Heart in the Battle for Iwo Jima. He returned to St. Regis, Mont. where he met a California girl, Constance Melgard, who he married less than three months later. They relocated to Monrovia, Calif., then moved to San Diego, Calif., followed by Rockville, Md., and finally settled in Joshua Tree, Calif. in 1974. He is survived by his four children: sons, David Fort Jr. of Vietnam, Dale Fort of Yucca Valley, Ken Fort (Rhonda) of Palm Desert, Calif., and daughter, Jackie Baker (Jake) of Raleigh, N.C.; his nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Constance; his brother, Sterling Fort; his sisters, Loretta Rattner (Hank), and Mary B. Drury (Bob). Memorial Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Joshua Tree on Monday, February 28, 2011 at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Visiting Nurse Association of Yucca Valley, 56300 29 Palms Hwy. Ste. #105, Yucca Valley, CA 92284.