Just learned of Hershel’s passing.  He and Sally were an amazing couple who poured their lives into young marrieds like my wife and I many years ago.    I spent many an evening driving with him in church visits and setting in his classes. Thank you to Hershel’s family who loaned him to us for a little while. We are blessed to have had him in our lives and it is an honor to call him my friend. 

I have so many memories of Herschel. He was my dad's (Jim Brannon or "JB" as he was called) first cousin. We would go over for Sunday dinner which was a huge spread prepared by Aunt Blanche at least once a month.
Herschel and Bill were in college at SMU and they would play catch with me (literally) they would throw me back and forth to each other. Uncle Herschel would fuss at them but as soon as he went back in the house they would continue. I, of course, loved it! I was probably 6 at the time.
I remember playing catch with Herschel, I had a glove on but no matter how hard I threw the baseball back to him, he never used a glove. His "handball" hands were like concrete.
I went to he and Sally's wedding and unfortunately to Sally's funeral, I am 15 years younger than he was but I had a crush on Sally, she was so sweet and a beautiful woman inside and out.
He took me to the first ever tryouts of the Dallas Texans where I met Mr. Lamar Hunt, Jack Spikes and several of the other players.
Herschel was always a lot of fun but first and foremost a gentleman and a man of God.
Had I known of his passing I would certainly have attended the funeral.
Bless you Herschel, Jr.  and Suzanne, your father was a man among men.

It was a pleasure to have gotten to know Herschel. I'm a younger man whom he continuously encouraged with his faithfulness and genuine encouragement in our mutual faith. I regret never telling him how much I respected his example and the life he lived. I hope I serve a younger man in the same way Herschel served me. 

While Hershel was Captain of the SMU Mustangs, he still took time to regularly teach Sunday school at FBCD; 
when he became such a great influence in my life. One the funest  things was after his animated Sunday school lesson, he would frequently take a few of us pre-teens over to the athletic dorm for lunch with all those great stars and we feasted like kings and thought we had died and gone to Heaven already!
We met his beautiful bright Baylor Sally when they started dating and introduced her to our class... we thought...WOW !!! We thought man, that’s something we could do someday ...and by the way, I did do it also at FBCD. PTL ~

We remained best friends and did business together for the rest of his wonderful life, 
Recently when he was attending his Bible class at the Edgemere,  I snuck up behind and beside him and all of a sudden all the people smiled and so he looked over to see what it was about,... he was  so happy to see me that he said out loud: “ I’ve been mentoring this boy since he was 12 years old!”.... and everybody got the biggest laugh out of that ! Me too.😇



First time I met Herschel Sr. was when he drove by and chatted with his son, Herschel,  while we sat on a bench outside the library at Dallas Theological Seminary. I remember it so well because that was the time Herschel indicated his being smitten by my niece (now his bride), Cindy. (Ask either about where and how they met, a bit of humor in itself.)
The last time I saw Mr. Forester was in his room at Edgemere with Cindy, Herschel and Suzanne. At someone's prompting, we just began singing some hymns that he had grown up with - no hymn books, just memory - and Herschel Sr. was clicking right along with us, like he'd just left church choir practice.                  No idea if he knew where his ID card was at that time, his shoe size, or what his room number was, but there was little doubt what lay in the topsoil of his memory... that because it lay in  the hidden recesses of his heart.
      Though youths grow weary and tired,
       And vigorous young men stumble badly,
       Yet those who wait for the Lord
       Will gain new strength;
       They will mount up with wings like eagles,
       They will run and not get tired,
       They will walk and not become weary.
                                                        Isaiah 40:30-31

A good name is to be desired above riches.   The benefits of a righteous man, doing righteous deeds, and therefore earning a righteous name are patently obvious to everyone who knows Herschel Forester.  His name is legendary, and deservedly so, in a plethora of fields. Husband, father, church servant/leader, athlete, businessman, mentor, and friend are all assignments in which he excelled.   Undoubtedly, his beloved Savior was well pleased with his efforts.   I desire to examine another angle, not often probed, to the benefits of a good name.  In doing so,  I am testifying to the greatness of my debt to this man. 
Throughout the years, I had the joy of interacting with Herschel, Jr.    First as a coach and mentor, then as a fellow family man, I became close to him and Herschel Sr.    During the early years of my friendship with the Foresters, I met and fell in love with the daughter of a formidable man. He was a prominent church leader and businessman who had known and worked with Herschel Sr. for many years.   I have been told, and am certain it is true, that Herschel Sr's stamp of approval was a major factor in paving the way for my receiving permission to marry my bride of thirty-six years.   Now we give tribute to a man of integrity and celebrate his homecoming - a man whose splendid, honorable name has meant so much to so many- especially me. 

Real Estate, football and working out initially brought us together, but Our Lord Jesus Christ forever bonded us.  Herschel was a fun-loving, kind-hearted humble man of integrity always seeking God first with his time, talent and treasure.  He truly was a vessel of the Lord's presence to bless others.  I will greatly miss Herschel Forester, always my encourager and forever my champion.  

Herschel was such a humble but powerful man of God.  
He was one of my true Heroes and mentored me as a young man both in the business world and in my spiritual growth. 
He always had a smile, always took the time to focus on what you had to say and reflected the love of God in all he did.
One special memory was when we would have lunch at Highland Park Cafeteria. We would hold our arms limp to our sides 
as we prayed ...  in total surrender to God ... and then always read Hebrews 13: 20 - 21 together.  
Oh, that my life would be as faithful and leave such a beautiful heritage for my family and friends as Hershel did.  
A Mighty Man of God is finally "Home" 
Dan Arnold,  Dallas, Texas 

I had the pleasure of going with Herschel on a Monday night visitation with Mrs. Criswell's SS Class.
It was the first time I had met him, and he didn't know me from Adam, but he acted like he had known me his whole life.    

I later met Ann Forester one Wednesday evening in Coleman Hall.  She didn't know me either but shared
with me how she had been praying for someone to assist her in the prayer ministry she was heading.  She    
invited me to join her and it was a ministry that  introduced me to many wonderful prayer partners at FBC.

I know Herschel got the biggest hugs from Bill, Ann and Byron when he saw them again !
 

My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family.  I've known Herschel Sr. for about 7 years now. Met him through Herschel Jr. and Cindy.  He has been like a Grandfather to me. I've loved being around Herschel Sr.  I especially loved  getting to eat lunch with him and Cindy @ Jen's Place in Addison one sunny day back in 2016. I got the privilege to walk with him back to his office. He had such a sweet sweet presence about him and he sure loved the Lord.  

It has been my joy and privilege to work for Herschel the past eight years.  A privilege as I have learned much in an industry of which I was unfamiliar.  A joy to work for a man that had integrity written on everything he did.  Herschel was very generous - always wanting to "host", and a complete gentleman - never letting a door go unopened for you.  He loved to tell others about Jesus, and he loved to sing.  Many times, after discussing business he would think of a tune and burst into song, and of course if I knew the song, I would join him.  We sang some pretty good duets!  Then we'd laugh and get back to business.  Another bonus of working for Herschel is having the pleasure of getting to know his family.  My heart is heavy for your loss, but Herschel is singing with Jesus now and may you be comforted in that knowledge.

I thank Herschel for showing an interest in me and leading me to Christ in 1984.  I met Herschel at the University Club in the Galleria, having just moved to Dallas at age 25.  He befriended me, and got me involved in church.  He changed my life - what a gift.  Thank you.
-David McCombs


There are three very special family   heroes who have been on my mind since learning of HVF’s passing.    I have admired, loved and respected (from my early childhood to this - my 85th year on earth), my cousins, Herschel Vincent Forester and Bill Forester and their much loved, and respected dad, my uncle Herschel Forester.   I cannot imagine any father and son team which has reached out to and touched more people with the  Christian love and benevolence  which Jesus Christ taught than did this father and son team.

I praise and thank our Almighty God for blessing us with  Herschel Vincent Forester and his daily example of his Christian heritage.  

May the tradition live on!!

GO CHRISTIANS!!


Herschel Forester Sr.  was indeed a devoted Christian husband, father, and businessman...and always kind, encouraging, and truthful in all he did.   I was blessed and privileged to know him,   John Clem (DBU).


I have known Herschel Forester at least 60 years:   before our children were born,  Gloria and I  invited Herschel and Sally to dinner at our home.  It was a great time, the beginning of  real friendship; there have been many other great times since.  Herschel was versatile and so talented.   I skied with him (he was a natural), I played handball with him (I never won a game), he was a successful business man (I was a satisfied customer),  he was an active leader and worker at his church, First Baptist  Dallas (a deacon many years  and also its chairman).  Herschel was a splendid Christian and a gentleman.   I concluded years ago that he epitomized what a believer in Jesus Christ should be, believe, think, exhibit, demonstrate and live.  His wife, Sally, was a perfect match for  him.  I know exactly where he is today “absent from the body and present with the Lord”.

Herschel is finally and forever at home with the Lord. His faith is now sight and I love that for Him.  I knew Herschel to be kind, winsome, gracious and loving. He loved Christ, his family and those around him. I remember him telling me and some other younger men he was mentoring at the time,  that we should make it a practice to sit with our wives at the table for a meal and not across from her so that you can be close to her! Followed that advice for years now. I’ll also always cherish getting to renew He and Mrs Forester’s wedding vows. 
Lord, thank you for my friend who showed me more of Jesus! 

My memory of Mr. Forester is that he made me feel like I was the most important person at the time every time he greeted me. That is a very rare thing. Most people are trying to do so many things at once they miss out on the moment. He stopped everything to acknowledge my presence. I never forgot that. Not once. But everytime we met. He greeted me with the same focused charm. I will try to adopt that characteristic of Mr. Forester. 

Herschel was such a kind-hearted, gentle individual and a person that had a smile for everyone he met.  We were honored to know him and his beautiful wife, Sally.  It is hard to imagine Herschel as the giant he was on the professional football field, but we know that he was a top performer there and in every other area of his life.  All that knew Herschel knew that his walk with Jesus was a top priority.  We can just imagine him walking down those streets of gold with his great smile combined with melodic whistling.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

Herschel was one of my hero’s.  He always had a smile and gave an encouraging word.  I am looking forward to seeing him again in heaven!

All of us at Dallas LIFE are grateful for the amazing prayer and financial support Herschel and his family have offered over the years.  His love and compassion for the homeless touched the lives of thousands.  We are a better place because of Herschel and love sharing the story of Jesus Christ with all who come to stay with us.  That's what Herschel loved to do the most and we are honored to be on the same team with him proclaiming the life transforming power of Christ for all who come to Him.  While we will miss him greatly, his legacy continues through every life that is  made new in Christ here at Dallas LIFE!

I was privileged to meet Herschel, Sr. over seventeen years ago through my friendship with his daughter-in-love, Cindy Forester.  Through many special times with the entire family,  Herschel, Sr.  was  the  ever-caring example of a father, husband, grandfather and friend.  A godly man, who was generous with his time and resources, he touched many lives, including mine. He was never without a song in his heart and a mischievous grin on his face. I will miss him and extend my sincere love and sympathy to the entire family along with the gratitude that comes from knowing he is reunited with his beloved Sally and other dear family members and that he is having a grand old time in heaven!

I am the daughter of Jane Marie Forester Wallin....she was a  first cousin to Herschel Vincent....she was the daughter of Cicero Forester....I've heard her talk about Herschel Vincent my entire life.  My mother passed away July of 2018.  I am so sorry for your loss.  

OBITUARY

Herschel Vincent Forester

April 14, 1931 – December 31, 2018

Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home & Hillcrest Mausoleum & Memorial Park

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