James Leonard Forrest Jr.

               James “Chiefer” Forrest, of Poway, California, passed away on Friday, December 31st, 2021 at Veterans Administration Hospital in La Jolla.  He was born in Oxford, Maryland to James Forrest Sr. and Hazel Bryant Forrest.  He was 71 years old.

               He loved crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay as a boy and as a man.  He made the best crab cakes this side of Maryland.  He was truly at home on the water, and in fact even went to Louisiana for a year, bought a shrimping boat, and he became a real life Bubba Gump. He enjoyed volunteering at the Elks Lodge cooking breakfast on Sundays and dinners during the week. 

               He joined the United States Navy after high school, where he served on the Kitty Hawk and was a sniper on one of the tours.  He served many tours of duty in Vietnam and was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal/Gold Star by demonstrating exceptional leadership skills.  He loved his country, the flag and all things military.  His love and admiration for the military knew no bounds. 

               He was an active member of the Poway Elks Lodge #2543.  He was a life member of the VFW Post 7907 as well as the past Commander of the VFW.

               Although Jim was retired, for the past 6 years, he enjoyed working everyday with Robert’s plumbing and air conditioning business.  One of his favorite things was to be part of the “Smoker Boyz”. A group of 12 of his best friends donating their time to cook and smoke meat to raise money for the community Elks, Fleet, and VFW to help maintain their annual budgets.  He also enjoyed taking his wife to Palm Springs, playing pool at the Elks and ice skating.

               He is survived by his beloved wife, Catherine Forrest, son Mark and his wife Nicole and grandson, Leo.  Also survived by son, Bryan, and 5 grandchildren, Elijah, Gabrielle, Isaiah, Hayden, and Greyson. He is also survived by sister Precilla and sisters in-law Nan and San.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

               Jim and Cat were married for 32 years. Jim will be missed so much by his beloved family and friends who dearly meant so much to him.  He will be missed by many. 

               Tribute to Jim will be at the Miramar National Veterans Cemetery on January 31st at 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 am, with full 21-gun salute and honors (5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA  92122). All are invited and there is also a link to the Facebook livestream of service: Click here to watch Jim's service 
 

                Celebration of Life will be at the Poway Elks Lodge #2543 on Saturday, February 12th at 1:00pm at 13219 Poway Rd., Poway, CA  92064. 

               Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/pomeradonews

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James Leonard Forrest Jr., please visit our floral store.