Charles Nathan Forrest

Charles Nathan Forrest’s life ended Thursday, December 29th, 2011 in Denver, CO, after nearly 20 years of living with the challenges of multiple sclerosis. Charles was born October 13, 1959, Evanston, Illinois. He graduated in 1977 from Harding High School, St. Paul, Minnesota and went on to earn a BA in Mass Communications from the Univ. of MN-Mpls. in 1981. He completed one year of law school from Newport University in California. Charles was a hard worker and entrepreneur who began his first business in 1978, a residential roofing company. He became a licensed insurance adjuster in 1983, and attained the Associate in Claims designation in 1988, working 29 years as an insurance adjuster. Charles partnered with his mother, Chloe Forrest, and began their own adjusting company, CCS Claims Service, in the late 1990s, based in Aberdeen, WA. While in Washington, Charles was an active member of the Tacoma Claims Adjusters Association. In 2009 he founded Alternative Insurance Council, then continued that work with his company Alternative Insurance and Financing of Colorado, which focused on the needs of the disabled and seniors. Charles was passionate about empowering the disabled and chronically ill, and in 2010 began a network group for disabled professionals in Denver.

Earlier in his life, Charles enjoyed many sports including weightlifting, skiing, tennis, swimming, and camping. He won several Junior Olympic weightlifting awards. As his multiple sclerosis progressed, he continued to love the outdoors, navigating his scooter along the beach in Texas, or driving through the mountains of Colorado.

Charles was a life-long member of the United Methodist Church and his strong faith helped him to live with an adventurous spirit, despite facing many adversities. Chas was always an independent, determined person who never lost his zeal for fun with loved ones, was open to life’s possibilities, and persevered to the end.

He is survived by his parents, Chloe Forrest of Austin, TX, and Aubrey Forrest of Mesa, AZ; daughter Aspen Brooke Forrest of Albertville, MN; and sister Angela Forrest-Brown of Austin, TX; one uncle, two aunts, four cousins, two nephews and one niece.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 am Friday, January 13, 2012, at Horan and McConaty Funeral Home, 11150 E. Dartmouth Ave., Aurora CO.

Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Please share your memories of Chas by selecting the Sign Guestbook link below.