Jack Donovan Forney

Jack Donovan Forney, lifelong Fort Collins resident and chairman of the Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver and former president of Forney Industries passed away December 3, 2014 in Fort Collins.
He was born in Fort Collins August 19, 1928 to Rachel M. and J. Donovan Forney. He grew up in Fort Collins and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 1946. He took engineering classes at Colorado State University and worked in the family business, Forney Industries as head of production.
He married his high school sweetheart, Patricia L. Effner, on May 15, 1949. Later that year, they moved to Des Moines to set up Forney Distributing, a company that distributed Forney products to states in the eastern portion United States, an ambitious endeavor for two young newlyweds. While in Des Moines, two daughters, Cheryl and Vanessa were born. The family relocated to Fort Collins in 1953 where Jack managed the manufacturing plant of Forney Industries.
Jack was dedicated to his church, LifePointe Church. He has been continuously active at LifePointe since he was 14 years old when it was known as First Baptist on Remington Street in Fort Collins. He served with the Trustees of the church and was instrumental in the construction of the current building. He also mentored several men who later entered into Christian service, so his interest was not only in the building, but in building the ministry of the gospel.
Jack was involved with several ministry organizations such as Global Connections, International, and Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU). His involvement in spreading the gospel has been his passion. He made several trips overseas with Global Connections to places like Israel, China and Korea.
The annual late October trips to Yellowstone Park with fellow fishermen Jack, Lee and Dick were the special event of each year. They developed lasting relationships with the rangers of the park and were often the last ones to leave for the year with a cooler full of fish and long evenings of fish stories. Some of the stories may have been true.
After retirement, Jack continued to manage the Forney Museum of Transportation in Denver. Under his management, the museum, including the Big Boy, was moved to its present location at 4303 Brighton Boulevard. He continued to work with the museum until his death.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Patricia, and daughters Cheryl Klinker and husband, Dennis, of Wellington, Colorado; and Vanessa Forney of Lompoc, California. Jack loved his granddaughters Carey Tritle and husband, Jason, of Alliance, Nebraska; and Christina Townsend and husband Ashley, of Centennial, Colorado. Their families include five great grandchildren, Caitlyn Tritle, Cayla Tritle, Cameron Tritle, Melissa Townsend and Matthew Townsend. Also included are two step grandsons, Jon Klinker and his wife, Lisa; Aaron Klinker and two great grandsons Jordan and Jace Klinker. Jack is also survived by his sister, Donna Forney, of Fort Collins and her children Steve Anderson and wife, Terri, and family; Dick Anderson and family, and Jan Mowery and husband, Brian, and family.
Those who desire may view Mr. Forney, Sunday, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held Monday, 11 a.m. at LifePointe Church, 900 E. Prospect. Interment will be held at Grandview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider the following two organizations as memorials: LifePointe Church and Global Connections, International in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 w. Olive St. Ft. Collins, CO 80524.
For more information about the Forney Museum, see:
http://www.forneymuseum.org/News_MuseumHistory1.html
Power to Change information
http://powertochange.com/s/90/tags/jack-forney/
http://powertochange.com/discover/faith/forney/