Forest Koone, age 71, of Rutherfordton, died Wednesday, January 16, 2019, at Mission Hospitals in Asheville, NC. He was the son of the late Steve Koone and the late Virginia Killian Koone and a native of Rutherford County. Forest was a member of Gilkey United Methodist Church. He graduated from R S Central High School with the class of 1965. He was also a graduate of Western Carolina University and he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He was a U S Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He worked for Thompson Contractors for over 25 years and then formed his own company Tri City Paving that he owned and operated. He is survived by his wife: Joan Koone. One Daughter: Nicole Koone Holmes and her husband Mark. Two Step-sons: Cary Lail and his wife Jacqueline, Brian Lail Mother-in-law Dorothy Buchanan, Sister-in-law Kay Hammond and her husband Buddy, brothers-in-law Joey Buchanan, Lee Buchanan and his wife Johna. Seven Grandchildren: William Holmes, Anabeth Holmes, Brookelyn Lail, Noah Lail, Nicholas Lail, Kennedy Lail and Cameron Lail. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Friday, January 18, 2019 at McMahan's. The Funeral service will be at Gilkey United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM, Saturday, January 19, 2019 with Reverend Jack Bridges officiating. Interment will be at Gilkey United Methodist Church Cemetery with military honors provided by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Gilkey United Methodist Church; c/o Jackie Bridges; 374 Lawing Mill Road; Union Mills, N.C. 28167. Guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com. The family would like to sincerely thank the church family, the fraternity brothers from Delta Sig, Dewalt and Shirley Koone, Allen Edwards, Gene Matheny, Tony Flack and all the multitude of friends for their prayers, love, visits and support for Forest. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements.