Gordon Clifford Forbes
July 25, 1928 - February 27, 2018
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Gordon Clifford Forbes
July 25, 1928 - February 27, 2018
Obituary
Gordon C. “Bud” Forbes went to see the Lord on Tuesday, February 27, 2018. He passed away after a short illness due to a traumatic injury. He was a kind, loving, talented man married to a wonderful woman for 68 years. Bud is survived by his loving wife Trudy; his daughter Patty (Butch) from Flagstaff, AZ, twin sons David (Karen) and Donald (Heidi), both in Whatcom County, daughter June (Rod) in Midlothian, VA; 9 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.
Bud was born on July 25, 1928 in Ionia, KS, to Lester and Clara Forbes. The fourth of five children, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Rex, Barney, and Keith. He is survived by his sister, Ruth Berry (Ray) in San Antonio, TX and numerous extended family members. His father, Lester, did not want to raise his family in the dust bowl and had to choose between family in Bellingham or family in Florida. A coin toss resulted in the family moving to Bellingham in 1933 where Bud not only graduated as class president from Bellingham High School, but was also the captain of the football team, the captain of the basketball team and the lead in the school operetta. He then attended Aurora College in Aurora, IL and performed in the Aurora College Quartet. He met Trudy when she responded to an advertisement for an accompanist for the quartet.
Bud and Trudy married on June 30, 1950, in the West Wareham Advent Christian Church in Massachusetts. They drove from Massachusetts and settled in Bellingham where Bud went to work for Georgia Pacific. Their daughter, Patty, was born on their second anniversary in 1952. Bud returned to college and finished his teaching degree, graduating from Western Washington College. After graduation, Bud received a teaching position in Everett and moved the family south. Bud and his wife, Trudy, were the first elementary school music teachers in the Kent School District, traveling from school to school.
In his spare time Bud enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and bowling, but music was dear to his heart. His extraordinary musical talent was enjoyed for decades by anyone lucky enough to hear him sing.
Bud’s service will be on Saturday, March 24th at 1:00 PM at the Fountain Community Church (2100 Broadway St, Bellingham, WA 98225).
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: March 24, 2018 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Fountain Community Church
- Location: 2100 Broadway St Bellingham, WA 98225 - (Get Directions)
3 responses to Gordon Clifford Forbes
Anita Sanchez Pollack says:
February 27, 2018
From the time my family moved to Kent WA in 1966, the Forbes family has beenA part of my life, from being my music teachers to family friends. I have many happy memories of Bud and his family. My heart goes out to Trudy, Patty, Donald,
David and their families. You are in my thoughts. My condolences to you all.
Maureen Massey says:
February 27, 2018
I have wonderful memories of Bud. From the time I was a little girl going to camp meeting at Nooksack I loved seeing him and hearing his voice soar. My parents loved him and it meant the world to all of us when he sang at our dad’s (Ross Massy’s) funeral service.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Love,
Maureen
Rick Qualls says:
February 27, 2018
It has been my pleasure to serve Bud and Trudy’s pastor these past 16+ years. He and I would stand at the door to greet people as they came in and he was the first “commentary” on my sermon at the end of the service. His chair will be hard to fill.We did many funerals and gravesides together, I will miss his partnership.
One of the many songs that he sang for our congregation had a line, “let all who come behind us, find us faithful”. He leaves a wonderful legacy testifying to the faithfulness and love of the Lord.
Truly a man of many generations, and a great example in so many ways as he served the Lord.