Obituary of Forest Downhour

Forest Wade Downhour, Jr., 81, of Jacksonville, FL passed away at 6:52 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at Shands Hospital. He was born July 28, 1931 in Morristown, MN to Forest and Helen (Hermel) Downhour. Forest served in the United States Navy for four years and later worked for The Florida Times Union. He enjoyed sports, attending church and dining with friends.

Forest was the oldest of ten children and is survived by one son, Gary Downhour; three daughters, Mellanie Henderson, Laurel Downhour and Ginger Sparkman; stepdaughter, Aida Tabola; six brothers, Robert W. Downhour, John L. Downhour, Rolland E. Downhour, David G. Downhour, Gerald N Downhour, Dennis L. Downhour; two sisters, Virginia Standke, Laurel Johnson; seven grandchildren, Amy Wells, Kelly Keitzer, January Sparkman, Kenneth Sparkman, Stephen Sparkman, Cari-Dawn Campbell, Amber Hodges and twelve great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his second wife Caridad (Cari) Downhour; parents and one brother, Donald D. Downhour.

A Graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Arlington Park Cemetery with Pastor Murphy officiating. A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Jacksonville.