James William Forbes, 81, of Center, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, July 7, 2016.

 

Visitation will be held 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016, at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 10, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Center with Bro. Carl Smith and Bro. Bobby Bressman officiating.  Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center.

 

James William Forbes was born January 30, 1935, to Guilford and Mildred Teague Forbes in their home on a hill overlooking Mt. Ida, Arkansas.  The family moved a few years later to Mena, Arkansas, where James attended school and graduated in May, 1953.

 

He worked that summer as a Smokejumper in Missoula, Montana.  Upon his return to Mena in August, he married his high school sweetheart, Ann Campbell. They moved to Magnolia, Arkansas, where he attended Southern State College and where their first child, Angela, was born.

 

In 1955, they moved back to Mena, Arkansas, where he worked for the Renova Shirt Factory and then the Arkansas Highway Department.  Soon after their daughter, Janet, was born, he began employment with the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey until August, 1961, when they moved to Center, Texas. He traveled with the survey team, working in West Virginia and up and down the East Coast from Main to Southern Florida.

 

James’ employment in Center was with the Soil Conservation Service.  James “Jimmy” Forbes was born the following year.  Hobbies include fishing, reading, hunting, church activities and just enjoying life in East Texas.

 

He was a member of the Center Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as Secretary/Treasurer; a member of the Center City Council, Weather Observer for the National Weather Service, where he received several prestigious awards.  On April 25, 2016, the Chamber of Commerce awarded James with Distinguished Citizen Award, one of the highest awards they give.

 

He is survived by

Wife of 62 years: Ann Forbes of Center

 

Children:

Angela Crelia Worsham and husband, Rick, of Center

Janet Oliver Yates and husband, Billy, of Center

Jimmy Forbes and partner, Daniel Nadler, of Bozeman, Montana

 

Grandchildren:

Sterling Crelia and fiancé, Jana Hagler, of Center

Amanda Kirby and husband, Kris, of Center

Landon Oliver and wife, Rita, of Center

Charla Warr and husband, Matt, of Center

Marina Permenter and husband, Hurchell, of Center

Tiffany Schillings and husband, Anthony, of Center

Samantha Ranft and husband, Brandt, of Waco

Jeremy Yates of Huntsville

 

Great Grandchildren:

Macy Mayo

Makayla Mayo

Mason Mayo

Jamie Warr

Clay Warr

Madison Kirby

Slade Kirby

Sawyer Kirby

Kaylee Jo Oliver

Brooklyn Oliver

Lily Grace Oliver

Daylon Fountain

Alexis Schillings

Jaden Yanez

Calista Schillings

Preston Schillings

Aubree Swearingen

Clinton Forbes

Emilee Permenter

Kynzlee Permenter

Kale Ranft

 

Numerous cousins and friends

 

Preceded in death by

Parents: Guilford and Mildred Forbes

 

Pallbearers will be Rick Worsham, Billy Yates, Sterling Crelia, Kris Kirby, Landon Oliver, Matt Warr, Joe D. Anderson and Keith Byndon.  Honorary pallbearers will be James Crelia, Hurchell Permenter, Center Firemen and Center City Council.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent to Center Volunteer Fire Department, First Baptist Church and Affinity Hospice.

 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com