John Edward Forsythe

John Edward Forsythe, 58, of Wichita Falls ended his battle against lung cancer on Tuesday, August 23, 2011 and passed into the care of our Lord for his eternal rest from the labors of this earth. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Saturday, August 27, 2011 at Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Merwin Turner officiating. Interment will follow in the Rose Garden at Crestview Memorial Park. No formal visitation is scheduled.

John was born November 27, 1952 at Scott Field, Illinois to Clarence E. Forsythe and Mary E. (Dinsmore) Forsythe. As a member of a military family, he traveled extensively throughout the U.S. before finally settling in Wichita Falls where he graduated from Rider High School in 1971. He attended Texas Technical Institute in Waco, Texas graduating in 1973, before beginning a career as an automotive and heavy equipment mechanic. During his 28 years in the field, John always maintained a residence in home state of Texas, working in the South Texas oil fields, San Antonio, Fort Worth, the City of North Richland Hills, and most recently, as a certified Master Automotive Technician at the North Texas State Hospital here in Wichita Falls.

Devotion to family and friends defined John’s life and nothing was more important to him than maintaining the relationships he had developed over the years. He also loved fishing, hosting neighborhood fish fries and taking a long succession of family dogs (including his favorites, Sassy and Annie) for truch rides, walks and rabbit chasing in the local parks. He especially enjoyed cruising local garage sales in search of a bargain pocketknife that could be restored and traded or sold at the next gun and knife show. John valued close relationships and family and friends scattered across the length and breadth of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and Missouri who fondly remember his story telling and recall tales of his fishing trips.

John was preceded in death by his father, Clarence E. Forsythe, also a master fisherman, who is now guiding him along the silver trout streams and crappie lakes that fill his new heavenly home. A pack of dogs undoubtedly travel at his feet when he visits the rabbit-filled parks that abound above our earthly clouds. Survivors here on earth include his mother, Mary E. Forsythe of Wichita Falls; brother, Clarence E. Forsythe of Wichita Falls; uncle, Givens B. Forsythe of Lytle, Texas; cousins, Janice Forsythe Smith of Milford, Texas, Clark Forsythe of Weatherford, Texas, Judy Dinsmore Mathis and husband, John of Sulphur, Louisiana, Sandra Pennington and husband, Doug of Katy, Texas, Rosalie Doanhue of Aurora, Colorado, Joe Donahue of Denver, Colorado, Doug Donahue of Denver, Colorado and Bruce and Sharon Dinsmore of Cypress, California along with many other cousins and friends.

In lieu of usual remembrances, the family suggest memorial donations to the Humane Society of Wichita County, 4360 Old Iowa Park Rd., 76305, P.E.T.S. at 500 Wichita St., 76306 or to Hospice of Wichita Falls, 4909 Johnson Rd., 76310.

Visit www.hamptonvaughancrestview.com to post messages of condolence and share fond memories with the family.