Joseph E. Forbes

Joseph Eugene Forbes was born April 18, 1945 in Elkhart, Kansas to Margaret and Lester Forbes. He graduated from Elkhart High School in 1963. After graduation, he headed off to Denver to attend drafting school. Upon completion of the drafting program, he enlisted in the Air Force. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1964. He then returned to Elkhart to work alongside his father at the Elkhart Lumber Company and volunteered as a scoutmaster in his spare time. He married Katie June Schrepel on August 25, 1967. They welcomed their first child, Karla Sue, in January of 1968. In 1971, Joe and June moved their family of three to Denver, Colorado. Their family of three quickly turned to a family of four when they welcomed their son, Michael Joe, in July of that same year. While working for Dial Electric in 1973, Joe was severely injured. His injuries required years of rehabilitation and additional schooling. In 1976, Joe and June moved to Commerce City, Colorado where they remained until his death. After moving to Commerce City, Joe worked and continued his education. He spent many years working for the Phillips X-Ray Company. He also owned his own small business, J&J Enterprises. He retired from Black & Veatch, a global engineering, procurement, construction and consulting company, in 2015 after 12 years of service. As a recreational hobby during the late 70's, he was a member of the Colorado Wheelchair Square Dance Group, The Colorado Wheelers. He traveled and performed in many places including appearances on the Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. Joe’s morning routine frequently included stopping by the local doughnut shop to hang out and shoot the breeze with the locals. When not hanging out at the doughnut shop, Joe enjoyed spending time going on extended fishing trips with his son and brother and on local fishing trips with his grandsons. He and June also enjoyed ocean cruising with his brother Vincent’s family. Joe and his wife helped his daughter’s family celebrate his grandson’s college graduation with a cruise in the spring of 2016. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, June Forbes; daughter, Karla Forbes-Pickens (Kevin) of Broomfield, CO; son, Michael Joe (Misty) of Fort Collins, CO; seven grandchildren, Nicholas (Brittany) Pickens, Nathan (fiancé, Krystalanne Brunelle) Pickens, Michael Forbes, Mathew Forbes, and Marshall Forbes; a great-grandchild is scheduled to arrive in March of 2018; siblings, Frances (Cathy) of Ulysses, KS, Agnes (Marvin) Jantz of Pueblo, CO, Martha (David) Durkee, Vincent (Joyce) Forbes of Elkhart, KS; as well as, many nieces and nephews. Joe is preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Forbes; and father, Lester A. Forbes, both of Elkhart, Kansas; and nephew, Eric Forbes. The family will receive friends during visitation on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, from 4:00 - 8:00 PM MST, at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 9998 Grant Street, in Thornton, Colorado 80229. Graveside Service & Interment honoring Joe will be Wednesday, September 6, 2017, 2:30 PM MST at Stonington Cemetery in Stonington/Walsh, Colorado. Directions to the Cemetery: Take Colorado Street 6 miles south of Walsh, Turn left onto County Road X, Go 6 miles and turn right onto County Road 50, Then go 1 mile South to arrive at the Cemetery. All are invited to a dinner reception following in Elkhart, Kansas at the City Civic Center beginning at 6:00 PM CST. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Joe's name to: American Cancer Society 2255 South Oneida Street Denver, Colorado 80224 Please share your memories of Joe and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook below.