Rev. Forrest D. Davis

Forrest Davis Obituary

Davis, Rev. Forrest D. - Loved Husband, Father, Grandfather and Brother Age 75, formerly of Duluth. Served as minister for a number of methodist congregations throughout Minnesota for over 30 years. He also established and served in St. Louis County Jail Chaplaincy Program for over 12 years. Passed away on 4-6-05. Preceded in death by parents; and an infant brother. Survived by wife, Joan (nee Stai); children, CheriAnne Johnson (Kurt), Bob (GiGi) and Steve (Lori); 8 grandchildren; brothers, Lynn (Ellen) and Alvin (Marian); also nieces and nephews. Served in the Navy during the Korean War. Masonic Ritual Monday 10 AM, Memorial Service Monday 10:30 AM, both at NORMANDALE HYLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 9920 Normandale Blvd. S., Bloomington, with visitation from 9:30-10 AM at church. Interment National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Decision Hills Campground-United Methodist Church. Sandberg Family F.H. 651-777-2600.

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Published by Pioneer Press from Apr. 8 to Apr. 10, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Forrest Davis

5 Entries

Forrest & Joan's 50th Wedding Anniversary, Robert, CheriAnne, & Steven, Aunt Helene

Robert Davis

April 23, 2005

My Favorite Dad

We come into this world without being able to choose who our dad is, I am forever grateful to God, for blessing me with Forrest as my dad.

Moving

;Growing up as a PK (Preacher’s Kid for those of you who aren’t familiar with the lingo), was not always easy. Given dad’s calling we moved around every few years. The adjustment period was sometimes painful. As a PK, not only did we have to try to make new friends, but we were often picked on just because we were PKs. Then just when we would start to make close friends and become successful and recognized in school for our achievements, it would be time to move, and we would have to begin the adjustment process all over again. Between Junior and Senior High School, we made a move that was very painful. Without going into details, the move was the hardest and most difficult to adjust to. At that point, dad promised the family that he would stay in Duluth until after we had graduated. When it appeared that we were going to have to move again the year before my senior year, Dad put his faith in God and kept his promise. As a result, what would have been a 2-year stay in Duluth, turned into 23 wonderful years in Duluth.

Priorities r>When we were young, Dad and mom taught us about priorities. Although dad never made Forbe’s list of Top 10,000 Billionaires which would have enabled my siblings and I to receive the latest and greatest 20 inch, 3 speed Schwin bicycle with the banana seat and high handle bars, dad provided us with experiences that have lasted far longer than the fancy bicycle. When we would begin to complain about how deprived we were, dad and mom would remind us of the various traveling and camping trips that we often went on, while our friends were home riding their bicycles. Today, after the bicycles have long been forgotten, the pictures and memories of dad taking a 10-year old and the rest of his family on a tour to Israel & Greece remain.

Support
t;As we became older and began participating in school athletics and in the Boy Scouts, dad was always there. He attended every game, match, or event that we were involved in. I’d like to put emphasis on the word every. Many kids’ parents would make most of their child’s events, but dad and mom attended all of our events. Every wrestling match, every track meet, every football game, every cross country meet, every swim meet. And not only would they cheer us on, but they would have us write down our teammates’ names so they could cheer them on as well. In Boy Scouts, Dad was there to support us on the trail to Eagle Scout. Even though as children we were busy, active, and successful, Dad and mom always kept us grounded to the things that really mattered in life – The Golden Rule, Love thy neighbor as thyself. Another lesson learned was to help other people.

Acceptin
g
Dad always taught us to learn about other people who may think and act differently from ourselves. In junior high and high school, dad and mom frequently opened our home to foreign exchange students so that we may learn about other cultures and ways of doing things.

LifeR
17;s Lessions
Dad was about letting go and letting God. He was a man who loved people and loved life. Many of you know that dad served as a chaplain for the St. Louis County Jail in Duluth. In his latter years dad was in his own private jail, one from which he could not escape. Although we feel the hurt and pain of losing dad, we are happy that he is now free.

It is often said that no one is perfect. The person who said it, did not know Forrest. He was perfect. He was my dad.

Dad I miss you. Thank you for always being there. I love you. You are my favorite dad.

Charles Meyer

April 12, 2005

Joan, Cheri Anne, Kurt, Bob, Gigi, Steve, and Lori,

On behalf of the brethren of Lake Harriet Lodge, thank you for allowing us to present a Masonic service for Brother Forrest Davis. The message I received from Brother Al Farmer clearly showed Br. Davis to be a great, humble, and Godly man. Brs. Paul Kraska, Pat VeVea, and I are proud to have been able to conduct the service and to show our respects.

Thank you.

Charles Meyer

Master, Lake Harriet Lodge #277

X-mas 1983 with the family.

Edwin Sandoval Guerra

April 9, 2005

Dear Family and Friends:

I am very sorry that I could not be here today with you in person, on this day where family is supposed to be together, and on a day where we are expressing our love, gratitude and paying our respects to Dad.

Dad touched many lives; he was a man of God and always delivered the message of our Lord to everyone in need. Dad was always available to everyone to listen, to laugh with, to enjoy holidays and always to pass on a word of wisdom.

Dad had no barriers when he expressed his love to people, he spoke the universal language anybody from any country would understand and be at ease when Dad was around.

Let me tell you a story of about how Dad helped me when I was a young man from a remote foreign country. Although I am American born, I could not speak English nor did I know anything about the American way of life as I grew up in El Salvador since I was 4 years old.

Dad and his lovely wife, Joanne took me into their home when I was 18-year-old and treated me as if I were their own son. It was not an easy task to handle due to our language barrier, cultural barrier, habits and my very spoiled bratty attitude. Dad and Mom always wore a smile while teaching me how to become an American.

Dad would always tell me, “You are in the United States now, this is your country and you are an American.” “Don’t forget that”.

At that time my dream was to become a U.S. Marine, so one day I asked Dad, who had served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, what to expect during boot camp. Dad answered me with a charisma and humor that was unique for Dad, “When they tell you to jump, just jump, and don’t ask how high just jump”.

Wit
h a lot of work, love and dedication, I have learned the American way of life and I have gone on to serve as a U.S. Marine, married a beautiful lady from Cleveland, Ohio, I have a 16 month old son, and currently I am a Police Investigator for the Los Angeles County Police.

My name is Edwin Sandoval Guerra; and I am the product of Dad and Mom’s love, care and affection.

Thank you Dad. I will never forget you.
Edwin

Ann Berryhill Arn

April 9, 2005

I am so sorry to learn of Forrest's passing...I was one of the teenage Minnesota United Methodist Mountaineers that went mountain climbing in Wyoming with him during the summer of 1971. It was such a powerful and meaningful experience. I will always be grateful to Forrest and the others who made that trip happen.

OLIVER HOUX

April 9, 2005

Forrest was a good friend for the few years we'd meet weekly. He was especially sensitive and caring about others. He also had a droll sense of humor. I feel blessed to have known Forrest.

I am reading and writing this in Arizona so cannot attend services. He will always have a happy place in my memories of him.

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