Forrest Lyle Jorgensen

It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Forrest Lyle Jorgensen of Chickasha, OK.  Surrounded by his loving family, Forrest died on August 31, 2018, at the Norman Veterans' Center.

He was born March 22, 1932, in Falls River, Kansas, and grew up in Wichita, Kansas.  He graduated from Plainview High School in 1949 and attended the University of Wichita, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Social Science in 1953.  While in college, Forrest was a member of the Army ROTC and joined the Army full-time upon graduation in 1953.  In August of 1953, he married Elaine Neer; the couple had two children during their marriage.  Forrest spent 7 years in the Army as a helicopter pilot where he was stationed in Georgia, Germany, and Washington state; he retired from the service in 1961.  After serving in the Army, Forrest worked as an Air Traffic Controller for the Federal Aviation Administration for 25 years, retiring in Kansas in 1986.  During his time with the FAA, he was stationed in Alaska, Colorado, Montana, and Oklahoma.  He was then hired by the University of Oklahoma to teach air traffic control in Oklahoma City; he retired from OU in 1992 after teaching 6 years.

Forrest married Sydney Kay Self in Oklahoma City, OK, on May 30, 1981.  The couple traveled extensively and lived in Kansas and Arkansas before settling in Chickasha, OK, in 1997.  His hobbies included traveling, trout fishing, gardening, canning, reading, working on his computer, and visiting with friends.  He loved family reunions and gatherings and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He also enjoyed taking care of his cats and had a deep love of nature and animals.  Forrest was an active member of First Christian Church of Chickasha.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Nettie (Shaner) and Harold Jorgensen; sisters, Maxine Legg, Estaline Skeen, Marilyn Siler; brother, Harold Lloyd Jorgensen.

He is survived by his loving wife, Sydney Kay; his daughter, Julie (Patrick) Nix; his son, Steve Jorgensen; his step-children, Harvey David (Mary) Self, Kenneth Self, Kathy (Calvin) Flowers; 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.