Derl Forbis

1930 - 2015

Derl Forbis of Longmont passed away on Thursday afternoon, October 8, 2015, at 85 years of age after a difficult battle with cancer. Derl was born to parents Boyd and Callie Forbis, June 5, 1930, in Louisville, Colorado. He grew up in Louisville, graduating from Louisville High School. Throughout school Derl was known as "Handlebars," a name that many friends still use. Derl enlisted in the Marine Corp, January 1951, and after boot training was stationed in Barstow, California, where he worked in the motor pool on damaged vehicles shipped back from Korea. After the Korean War and after Derl was discharged, he began his 35-year trucking career. For many years, he drove long-haul trips to California, hauling local meat and produce and returning to Colorado with west coast produce. In those days, the route included two-lane Loveland Pass and in the winter the trips were long and difficult. Later, Derl marveled at the great convenience of I-70 and the Eisenhower tunnel, always amazed how much time was saved by the new route. The trucking job that Derl enjoyed most was car-hauling. Figuring out what cars to put where and how to get them safely loaded and unloaded provided him great satisfaction. He left his job as a driver for a short period when he served as Teamster President, Local 961, representing long-haul drivers in Colorado. In retirement Derl and wife, Dolores, traveled to Texas and Arizona where they enjoyed the winters and meeting other "snow-birds" from many parts of the U.S. and Canada. Derl developed a great interest in computers. He spent many hours at his desk learning about "mother boards," operating systems, the internet, and most recently his "smartphones." He also enjoyed golf, working on cars, and being with family, friends, and neighbors in Fox Hill and Casa Grande, AZ. Derl really enjoyed his golf buddies in Longmont on Tuesdays at Sunset and on Thursdays at Twin Peaks as well as golfing with friends in Casa Grande. In school, Derl had a dry sense of humor and enjoyed looking back on all the great stories of growing up in Louisville and the wonderful memories that he had of all his high school friends and the work experiences they shared as young men. Derl is survived by his wife, Dolores; daughters Kerri Autrey (Chuck) and Keely Day (Brad); granddaughters Tiffany Schoser Jaret (Rory) and Chelsea Autrey; and sister Larella Stout. Derl was preceded in death by his parents. Cremation has been entrusted to Howe Mortuary. A memorial gathering will be held at Howe Mortuary in Longmont on Friday, October 16, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. The family invites you to join them after the memorial service for a light lunch and to share memories together. Memorial donations may be made to TRU Community Care, Hospice Services. Visit www.howemortuary.co to share thoughts, memories and condolences with the family.