Michael A. Forbes

Michael A. Forbes, 76, of Parsons, passed away at 7:20 a.m., Monday, March 7, 2016 at his home surrounded by his loving family following a courageous two-year battle with cancer. He was born September 27, 1939 at 1610 ½ Stevens, Parsons, Kansas to John Edward and Lelah Irene (Gregg) Forbes. Michael grew up in Parsons where he attended St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School and was a 1957 graduate of St. Patrick's Catholic High School. As a youth, he enjoyed playing basketball, football and baseball. He served in the United States Army. Following his honorable discharge, he returned to Parsons where he attended Parsons Junior College and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Kansas State College of Pittsburg. On September 4, 1965, he and Evelyn Ann Morris were married at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Parsons. They moved to Kansas City where he worked for Winthrop Laboratories as a pharmaceutical sales representative. In 1972, the family returned to Parsons where he accepted a job with the Governor's Committee on Manpower Planning for Southeast Kansas. In 1981, he became the Personnel Director at the Parsons State Hospital and Training Center where he served until his retirement in 2001. Most recently he had assisted at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home. Michael was a faithful member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons and was a 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus. For many years, he served on St. Patrick's Parish and School Councils, was chairman of the St. Patrick's Booster Club, and especially enjoyed young people while coaching CYO and Middle School basketball. He also was a volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul Society. Among his many passions were faith, family, and friends. He loved attending his grandchildren's events and especially enjoyed hosting gatherings of family and friends at their home on Grand Lake. He enjoyed fishing and, in earlier years, golf. Michael had a great sense of humor and will be remembered for always having time for others. Survivors include: His loving and devoted wife of 50 years – Evelyn Forbes of the home Four Sons – Michael D. Forbes and his wife, Jennifer Parsons, KS Gregory Forbes and his wife, Audrey Parsons, KS Brenden Forbes and his wife, Eileen Kansas City, MO John Forbes and his wife, Natasa Kansas City, MO Two Daughters – Kristen Farris and her husband, John Grove, OK Mary Gleich and her husband, Rob Stuttgart, Germany His grandchildren are Makenzie Kay Forbes who preceded him in death on August 25, 2014; Alexandria Forbes, Nicholas Farris, Jessica Forbes, Joel Forbes, Luke Forbes, Lauren Forbes, Deirdre Forbes, Brenden Forbes, Jr., Yelena Forbes and Nina Forbes Two Brothers – Pat Forbes and his wife, Carolyn Pittsburg, KS John Forbes Naples, FL One Sister – Mary Malissa Forbes and her companion, Terry Payne Parsons, KS Numerous Nieces and Nephews A Host of Friends In addition to his granddaughter, he was preceded in death by his father, John Forbes, on October 12, 1969; his mother, Lelah Forbes, on February 18, 2007; and sister-in-law, Frances Forbes, on September 10, 2007. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 10, 2016 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the rosary at 7:30 p.m. in Parish Hall at the church. Memorials are suggested to St. Patrick's Catholic School Endowment Fund. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Michael A. Forbes, please visit our flower store.