Jack Forrest

Rex Jackson "Jack" Forrest, longtime Mexia business man, passed away peacefully at home April 9, 2019 at the age of 90. A service to celebrate Jack's life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Henry Radde and Rev. Maurine Day officiating. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Jeff Forrest, Ragan Forrest, Jett Forrest, Blair Austin, Blake Austin and Jason Thomas will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Holloway Martin, Morris Kerr and the Rotary Club of Mexia.

Visitation with the family will be prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Jack was born March 2, 1929 in Mexia, Texas to Nolan Blake and Frances Ella "Fanell" Jackson Forrest. After high school, he began serving his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Jack married his lifelong partner, Ina Beth Brotherton, on October 21, 1950. In 1958, he became a partner in Womack Insurance and Realty Service and owner in 1976.

Jack joined the Rotary Club of Mexia in 1964 and was still an active member. He served in numerous capacities, both locally and Internationally a few of which included, president of the Rotary Club of Mexia, director of Rotary International, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Chairman's Advisory Committee and while serving on the executive committee of the U.S. PolioPlus Pioneer Campaign Committee garnered recognition as a PolioPlus Pioneer.

Jack was instrumental in serving twice on the Mexia City Commission, president of the Mexia Chamber of Commerce, the Mexia Industrial Foundation, the General Mexia Memorial Hospital board, president of the Mexia Country Club, chairman of the Official Board of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the Conference Board of Trustees of Methodist Central, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Affiliated Hospitals in Fort Worth, a member of the Advisory Board of Mary Hardin Baylor University and served as a director of the Baylor Bear Foundation.

Although, active in numerous things outside the home, Jack's priorities began at home and with serving the Lord. He loved his family and was always supportive of them, which was reciprocated. He was especially proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Jack was an active lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Louneita and John Sims Stubbs; brother and sister-in-law, Blake and Diane Forrest; and brother-in-law, George T. Barrow.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ina Beth Forrest; son, Robert J. "Bobby" Forrest and wife, Melissa of Mexia; daughter, Nancy Austin and husband, Mickey of Denver, CO; grandchildren, Jeff and Sunnye Forrest of Lorena, Tracy and Jason Thomas of South Lake, Blair and Jacqueline Austin of Dallas and Blake and Ashley Austin of New York; great-grandchildren, Ragan Forrest, Jett Forrest, Taylor Thomas, Tiffany Thomas, Jackson Austin and Charlie Austin; and sister, Margaret Barrow of Houston.

Service Details.

Visitation

When: Thursday, April 11th, 2019 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: First United Methodist Church
Address: 203 N. Canton MEXIA, TX 76667

Service

When: Thursday, April 11th, 2019 11:00am
Location: First United Methodist Church-Mexia
Address: 203 N. Canton MEXIA, TX 76667