Forest Kenton Lake, Jr., 87, of Greenville passed away Sunday, August 10, 2014 at Medical Center of McKinney. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 in the Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel. A private burial will be at Forest Park Cemetery in Greenville. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, August 12, 2014 beginning 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Forest was born May 13, 1927 in Greenville, Texas. He was the son of Forest Kenton Lake and Lou Elliott Lake. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1944 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He transferred to the Army and served in Germany in World War II. He returned to Greenville and completed his Bachelor of Science at East Texas State Teachers College in 1949. During his college days he met Bobbie Mae Nelson and they married on December 22, 1947 in McKinney, Texas. They both began careers as public school teachers in Kermit, Texas
He returned to Greenville in 1951 when his father and he purchased the printing operations of Bland Printing Company and opened Lake Printing Company. The company flourished and grew as it operated with father and son working together day to day. Forest continued to operate the business following his father’s passing in 1986. The company was sold in 1996 and he began enjoying his retirement days fishing, visiting the timeless treasures of west Texas and other Texas locations, and meeting up with family and friends. Forty-four years of owning and operating your own business folded into sunny days of leisure and discovery. He and Bobbie celebrated 66 years of marriage and companionship.
During his time in business, he participated in many civic endeavors including the Greenville Chamber of Commerce serving as a member of the “G” team. He was a founding member of the Greenville Jaycees. He served dutifully as a supporter of the Greenville YMCA in its annual fund raising activities. He was a multiple term member of Greenville Club lake Board and served various terms as president. He loved fishing and hunting at the “Lake”.
He was a Christian and member of Wesley United Methodist Church.
He is survived by daughters Alicia Smith and husband Ed of Fairfield, Texas and Laura Lake of Greenville and son Robert Lake and wife Nancy of Greenville. Grandchildren Angie Pinkerton and husband Lloyd of Godley, Texas, Christi Smith of Austin, Texas, Emily Austin and husband Eric of Roswell, New Mexico, Julie Adams and husband Phillip of Austin, Texas, Justin Imhoff of Greenville and Jason Imhoff of Greenville, sisters Betty Ringo of Waco and Patricia Bryant of Lubbock and five great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Bobbie in 2013 and a stillborn daughter Saundra in 1952.