James Daniel Forstman

James Daniel Forstman of Vestavia Hills, Alabama, died peacefully in his home on June 12, 2026. Born on August 11, 1936, Jim was eighty-nine years old. He was married to Edwina Marie Guy of Sylacauga, Alabama for forty-four years. Jim is preceded in death by his daughter Kristen Alexander Phipps, his grandson Jimmy Wayne Alexander, Jr., his brother Carl Eugene Forstman, and his parents Irma Jean McSwain Forstman and Carl Connie Forstman. Surviving are his wife, Edwina Marie Guy Forstman; sons Bryan Keith Forstman (Leigh), Kevin Hall Forstmann (Leslie), Stephen Kyle Forstman; daughter Sophia Claire Forstman; grandsons Hartwell King Forstman, Jeffery Dillon Forstman, Brady Sailor Forstman; granddaughters Tayler Montana Forstmann, Elizabeth Marie Morris (Chris), Mary Ann Alexander (Fred) and Michelle Christina Greggs. He is also survived by thirteen great-grandchildren.

Jim was born in Homewood, Alabama, and grew up in the West End neighborhood of Birmingham. After receiving his diploma from West End High School in January 1955, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as a submariner aboard the USS Clamagore and the USS Trutta. His tour of duty fostered a love of travel, and he returned to Alabama with colorful stories of times in Naples, Malta, and Murmansk, among others. His active service in the Regular Navy ended in December of 1958, and he was honorably discharged in January of 1963.

In 1961, Jim earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Howard College (now Samford University) with aid granted through the GI Bill. While at Howard, he joined the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After graduating, Jim went on to complete his Juris Doctor degree at the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University, finishing in 1967. In the same year, he won the Moot Court Competition for Best Brief. Jim was a well-respected and accomplished trial attorney who successfully represented many clients over a thirty-four year career before retiring at age sixty-five. In his practice, he was a staunch advocate for the needs of workers and the disadvantaged.

Jim was a long-time member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama and for a few years led children’s Sunday School with his wife. After a mission trip to Peru, he developed an enduring relationship of support and communication with a congregation in Villa El Salvador, their pastor Jose Valverde, and his translator Edith Guzman.

Jim led an energetic and varied life with many passions. A licensed sea captain and amateur aviator, in his time off he kept personal and charter boats in Panama City, flew a personal Cessna aircraft, and deep-sea fished off the Florida Keys. He competed in numerous billfishing tournaments on the Gulf Coast, and several of his prized catches graced the walls of the well-known local restaurant John’s. In other seasons of his life, he kept horses and cattle and enjoyed horseback riding. He had a keen eye for value, buying and selling real estate, boats, cars, motorhomes and airplanes. In one of those motorhomes, he completed a two-month journey through many national parks across the United States into Canada, from Birmingham to Banff and back again. Although many of his hobbies revolved around a love for water, oceans, and lakes, in the later years that he spent more at home, he became an enthusiastic daily birdwatcher. He was a natural-born storyteller with rich experiences and a mischievous wit.

Services are planned for Saturday, June 20, 2026, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, Alabama 35124. Visitation will begin at 1:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life will begin at 2:30 p.m. followed by interment at graveside.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or www.stjude.org/donate or Shades Mountain Baptist Church, 2017 Columbiana Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35216 or www.shades.org/giving.