Gary Norman Forrest

Gary Norman Forrest, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and neighbor, passed away at home on September 1, 2026, with family by his side and one very good cat named Oliver in attendance. Known for his unbending strength, comforting hugs, and occasional flair for stubbornness, he will be forever loved and missed.

Gary was born to Howard and Kathryn Forrest on September 18, 1940 in Longview, Washington, and was the eldest of four children. The family of six made their home in the small town of Rainier on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. The river and community where Gary grew up painted the backdrop for the many boyhood stories he liked to tell: from hunting excursions with his father and uncles on Nikolai Mountain, to catching crawdads and fishing for salmon in the Columbia, to adventures with friends that included building rockets from homemade gunpowder (they stood in amazement one time as their rocket roared down B Street, cut a sharp corner, and was last seen making a fiery descent over the river), as well as the narrow escape from a cargo ship bearing down on Gary’s black sailing skiff as he rounded an island and rowed feverishly toward the banks of home.

It was in Rainier where Gary met Sandra Springer, his one and only. Their romance led to marriage, four children, and a partnership of 65 years. In 1969, Gary and Sandra moved their young family to Yakima, Washington, when the Longview Fibre box plant (now Smurfit Westrock) was being built. Gary’s 44-year career at Longview Fibre began at the pulp and paper mill in Longview in 1958. He worked at the mill in summers while attending college at Lower Columbia College and then Oregon State University where he studied psychology and lived in a Corvallis apartment on fraternity row with Sandra and their newborn son, Patrick. During his tenure at Longview Fibre, Gary served as a corrugator supervisor and general foreman/plant superintendent. A highlight of his career was the day one of the corrugator crews broke a world production record during their shift. True to form, Gary was a leader who took pride in team accomplishments and sharing his knowledge of the industry with others.

Continuing the tradition of outdoor adventures on the east side of the Cascades, Gary enjoyed Jeep drives with his wife and children and hunting trips on the Ahtanum with his sons and grandchildren. After retiring in 2002, he was free to give more attention to the remodeling projects he and Sandra lovingly invested in their home over the years. He read a variety of authors including Annie Dillard, Toni Morrison, and J. R. R. Tolkien as well as books that featured world history and pioneer travels. Additionally, he spent untold contented hours tying flies and fishing for trout on the Naches and Yakima rivers. In the final fall seasons of his life, Gary’s daughters coaxed him out on their first ever slow hikes together. He loved the company of family including pets, filling the bird feeders, and creating new memories with visiting family and friends until his passing. In recent years, Gary renewed his faith as a member of St. Paul Cathedral. An observer of the natural world and reveller of storms, Gary leaves a legacy of appreciation for backyard nature, old growth forests and upland streams, meadows, canyons, and rivers–and for all the creatures who reside in these places.

Gary is survived by his wife of 64 years, Sandra Forrest of Yakima; his brother Fred Forrest of Rainier, OR; his children Patrick Forrest of Yakima, Dodie Forrest of Yakima, Christopher Forrest and partner Bill of Seattle, and Sally Forrest of Yakima; his grandchildren Jesse Forrest and partner Emma of Issaquah, Naomi Forrest and partner Kevin of Richland, Raihei Sato and wife Edi of San Marcos, CA, Shohei Sato and partner Hannah of New York, NY, Macaden Forrest of Pullman and Macaden’s mother Keisha Smith of Union Gap; as well as his great grandchildren Twilah McAdam and partner Catherine of Ellensburg and Adelaide Forrest of Issaquah. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Kathryn Forrest and his siblings Eloise and Michael Forrest.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Paul Cathedral, Heartlinks Hospice, or the Yakima Humane Society.

Visitation will be held in the chapel at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 South 12 Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, US, on September 15, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 S 12th Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, US, on September 16, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

A Graveside service will follow at Tahoma Cemetery, 1802 W Tahoma Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, US, on September 16, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.