Louis L. Forbes

Louis L. Forbes passed away on October 3, 2014 from complications from cancer. He was born on April 24, 1926 in Norfolk, VA. His grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Hodges James, deceased, in Elizabeth City, NC, raised him. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 55 years, Shirley A. Forbes; his daughter, Sharon L. Forbes; his mother, Mildred James Forbes Sivills, Elizabeth City, NC; and his brother, John W. Forbes Jr. of Currituck, NC. He is survived by his son, Bernard A. Forbes, his wife Laurie and granddaughter Christine, and his daughter Felicia Forbes Rider, husband Bill, granddaughter Rachel and grandson Jackson, all of Albuquerque, NM. He was a retired Senior Master Sergeant from the United State Air Force; he served 30 years of honorable service for his country. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1946 and attended the Armored Infantry training school in Fort Knox, KY. Upon completion of training, his first assignment was to the Manhattan Engineering Project at Los Alamos, NM; in1947 to the Armed Forces Special Weapons Project (AFSWP) Sandia Base, NM; 1955, 5th Tactical Depot Squadron, Bitburg Air Base, Germany; in 1957 Defiance Atomic Support Agency Sandia Base NM; in 1961 586th Missile Maintenance Squadron at Hahn Air Base, Germany; in 1964 22nd Bomb Wing at March AFB CA; in 1967 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, Bien Hoa Air Base Vietnam, were he was in several combat missions, receiving the Bronze Star, the Commendation Medal and several Vietnamese Combat Medals; in 1968, 58th Combat Crew Training Wing Luke AFB AZ; in 1971 TUSLOG Det#63, Turkey; in 1974 Kirtland AFB New Mexico where he retired. He then worked for 34 years at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, NM. He was one of the first logistic people to be assigned to the Airborne Laser Lab. Program and then assigned to the Logistic Material Control Activity until his retirement in 2008. He was a member of the Air Force Association for over 40 years, and a member of the Directed Energy Professional Society. Louis married the love of his life Shirley in 1953 and they started their lives together until 2008. During that time they lived and traveled all over the world. He enjoyed traveling throughout the country in his motor home as well as several trips to the Holy Land to walk in the footsteps of our Lord. He was a loyal, devoted, and faithful husband, father, and grandfather, and was an example to everyone he knew. We did not want him to leave us but we know he will be safe in the arms of our Lord. Rosary will be recited on Thursday, October 9, 2014, 10:00 a.m., followed by the eulogy at 10:30 a.m. and Catholic Mass at 11:00 a.m., all at Gate of Heaven Mausoleum Chapel, 7999 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Full military honors will accompany the burial at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis TN. 38101-9929 for the little children who have cancer. FRENCH - Wyoming 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400