Monte James Forney, born June 1, 1935, passed away December 31, 2021, in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Monte was born in Whitehall, Montana, Jefferson County, to Monte and Geneva Forney. Monte is preceded in death by his elder sister Mary Forney of Livingston, Montana, eldest brother Tom Russell of Alamogordo, New Mexico and eldest daughter Nova Anne Forney Workman of Fort Worth, Texas.
Monte served with honor in the USAF, in Air Rescue, SAC support, and as a Courier, he retired in 1976 with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, in the 401 Avionics Maintenance Squadron (USAFE). Monte went on to attain his PHD in Law at the University of Texas. He continued his career in the defense industry based out of Fort Worth, Texas with McDonnell Douglas, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin and Haliburton.
Monte retired again in 1999, to Capitan, New Mexico, then moved to Elkins, Arkansas in 2013. Monte was a family man, he raised his daughters to be smart, strong and adaptive. Monte, a world traveler, showed his family the world, camping across Europe in the 1970’s with four little girls in tow. He was adventurous, inquisitive and respectful of all cultures.
Monte is survived by wife Helen Elizabeth Forney; daughters Mia Lynne Forney Stevens of Conroe, Texas, Michelle Angeline Forney Bowen of Elkins, Arkansas and Tracy Leanne Forney Zimmer, of Huntsville, Arkansas; granddaughter Renee Lynn Forney Workman of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; and son-in-law Randy Jay Stevens of Conroe, Texas.
Cremation arrangements by Beard’s Funeral Chapel.
So sad to hear of Monte’s passing. It certainly was our pleasure to be able to get to know Monte. I immensely enjoyed listening to him share some of his adventures and experience with me! Susan and I have you all in our prayers.
The Lifsey family will miss Uncle Jim. We love y’all and are in our prayers.