Obituary of Paul Robert Forrester

Paul R. Forrester

Paul Robert Forrester of Marana, Arizona and formerly of Memphis, Missouri passed peacefully at the age of 98.5 years under the care of Emblem Hospice on May 02, 2024. He was born October 30, 1925, in Scotland County Missouri to Robert E. and Jessie Belle Sconce Forrester, the youngest of three children. Two sisters preceded him in death. He was a graduate of Memphis High School in 1943 and enlisted in the US Navy immediately upon graduation. He served six years during WWII including tours to Pearl Harbor, the South Pacific and the Mediterranean Sea. He met Pope Pius at the Vatican and helped decorate his ship in Gibraltar for the visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip. He sailed all over the world and had visited over 25 countries by his 25th birthday. He achieved the rank of Quartermaster 2nd class and served aboard the USS Midway and the USS Norfolk as a ship's navigator. He was decorated with the Victory Medal American Theatre and the Good Conduct Medal for the Philippine Liberation. He was honorably discharged in 1949 and returned to farming in Scotland County, west of Memphis, Mo.

Paul was married to Olive Whittom Crutcher who preceded him in death in 2005. Paul retired from farming in 1996 and in 2014, he and his companion Marilyn Cowell relocated to Marana, Arizona. She preceded him in death in 2017. Paul is survived by Marilyn's children Ranee (Dennis) Brayton, Kena (Bill) Hirner, and Tim (Mark Torres) Cowell , their families and 2 nephews ,Richard Bertram and William Winters and their families.

Paul had many interests including antique collection, woodworking, tool collection, traveling and socializing with his many friends at the VFW Post in Memphis, Mo. He was a Life Member and past Post Commander of VFW Post 4958 of Memphis and a past member of the Masonic Lodge of Memphis and a Shriner belonging to the El Kadir Shrine Club in Kirksville , Mo. and the Moila Temple of St. Joseph, Mo. He was a Christian by faith and a private service with Masonic rites was held in Marana, AZ. Final interment will be at the Memphis Cemetery and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at the VFW Post in Memphis. Memorials in his honor may be left to the VFW Lodge Post 4958 in Memphis.