Forest Oneal Patrick, affectionately known as "Honey, Dad, Granpa, PawPaw, Pop, and Papa" lived a fulfilled life. Born August 22, 1930, in Americas, GA to loving parents, Louis & Irene Patrick, he moved to Orlando, FL at the age of a young child, and was raised there with his siblings. Orlando was his home until he moved to North Carolina in 2003. Forest loved working around his home and took immense pride in making sure every task was done exactly right. Forest changed his permanent address to heaven on October 14, 2025.

Forest graduated from Orlando High School in 1950. After graduation he was a volunteer Firefighter and joined the Navy.

In 1957, Forest married Shirley Ann Kinsey, who remains his wife of 68 years. They raised four outstanding children together. Gail (Roger), Daniel (Paula), Louis (Claudia), and Shelley (Stuart). His life was filled with 11 Grandchildren, 19 Great Grand Children plus one on the way for 20, and 5 Great, Great Grandchildren.

He was a hard-working man, dedicated to his family and his faith, which was represented in everything he did. He was a Navy Veteran, serving in the Korean war on the ship USS Harry F. Bauer as the Cook, a Firefighter, and discharged as BT3 Petty Officer Boiler Technician 3rd Class. He was very humble about his military service, always wanting those who fought to get the credit over the cook. He was a craftsman at every job he held. His career was in construction, as a General Contractor, specializing in masonry where he quickly rose to leadership on any job he had. At one time, his work took him to Saudi Arabia for one year with an overseas company. His biggest job was building the home that he and Shirley lived in Orlando after he retired. Forest's work ethic was unmatched, and he worked hard on every job to ensure everyone met that standard. He possessed fantastic problem-solving abilities, had mechanical ingenuity, and was totally a tinkerer at heart. He held value at each company he worked at.

While a quieter personality, this man had jokes! To know him, was to love him. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive, and hilarious. Forest's stories might be funny, and there was always a lesson.

Forest was a very faith filled man and believed in his Lord as his Savior. He was a member of Harris Baptist Church at the time of his passing and was looking forward to heaven for eternity.

Forest passed his time working in his Shop. His Shop could easily be voted the most organized in a workshop competition. His favorite items to build were bird houses. His bird houses were intricate and beautiful. They were given as gifts to people Forest met in his life and there would be no discussion about selling them to make money. They were his passion to share his creativity with those around him to make them smile. His bird houses included hand-made logs from used wood he found, to copper tops and every bird house has a cross on it as his way of sharing his faith with others.

Forest is preceded in death by his loving parents, Louis and Irene Patrick as well as his sisters, Debra Irene Conley and Carolyn Jean Mobley as well as two infants Arthur Eugene Patrick and Mary Elizabeth (Betty) Patrick. He is survived by brothers, Robert Lee (Bobby) Patrick, Fred Daniel Patrick, and sisters, Shirley Ann Alfrey, and Linda Gail Wishon.

He is also survived by countless cousins, and all his loving nieces and nephews.

Dad, we will miss you, immensely. You were our "go-to" when life got rough, you were our sanity in this crazy world, and our comfort when we needed clarity. You were always someone we could count on, and although you were a straight shooter, you always got your point across through life lessons and natural consequences. You provided us with advice and let us make our own decisions after thinking things through. You always gave as an over achiever and taught us to do the same. Because of you, we have courage, the love of our family, an insane work ethic, and we all know Christ. We thank you Dad for all the wise words of advice, the love you gave us and the beautiful lives we have lived because of you, your hard work, and your boundless love for us. We are all better people Dad, because of you. You remain our hero and our mentor. We will forever keep you in our hearts until we meet again in heaven.

Services for Forest will be on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Harris First Baptist Church starting with a viewing from 1pm- 2pm. The funeral service will begin at 2pm with Reverend George Whitmire officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery. Harris First Baptist Church is at 127 Hogan Road, Forest City, NC 28043. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.