Paul LeRoy Forbes

Paul Leroy Forbes passed away at St. Cloud Regional Hospital after a brief illness in St. Cloud, Florida on January 21 at the age of 81. Paul is survived by his wife of 63 years, Beverly; children, Paul (Lillian) Forbes, Apopka; Marchele (Robert) Olson, Stuart; Gary (Cyndi) Forbes, St. Cloud; Kathy Forbes (Dave) McNabb, St. Cloud; sisters, Marilyn (Mike) Sanderson, Albion, Iowa and Frances (Ken) Smith, Marshalltown, Iowa. Grandchildren, Nick (Lauren) Forbes, Kissimmee; Jessie (Mike) Wigham, Lakeland; Jonathan (Allie) Nissen, San Diego; Jeffrey Nissen, Fort Worth; Rachel Forbes, St. Cloud; Jarrod (Britney) Forbes, St. Cloud, 5 great-grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren. Paul was born on February 6, 1936 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Maurice and Pearl (Roskamp) Forbes. He graduated from Albion High School in 1954. He married Beverly Lepley, his high school sweetheart on December 19, 1954. After a 3-year stint in the Army the couple made their start in Albion, Iowa. Paul began working as a carpenter and developed the love of building. After learning his trade, Paul started his own business, Forbes Construction in Marshalltown, Iowa bringing his two sons along side in the trade. He built homes in Marshalltown and also built senior housing in many of the communities surrounding Marshalltown and across Iowa. In 1980 he and his wife relocated to Kissimmee, Florida. After a few years, Paul started, The Forbes Company. Many homes in the Kissimmee and St. Cloud Area has his touch on them. In his early years, he loved to spend the weekends at the family cabin at Holiday Lake, near Brooklyn, Iowa. He was always trying something new when it came to water skiing. He would ski with people on his shoulders, pull five skiers with 50 hp motor and ride a wooden saucer (that he made) with a folding chair sitting on it. During the long Iowa winters he would ride snowmobiles, racing them at times and taking the family sledding. He passed the love of water and the outdoors on to his children, along with the values that Boy Scouts learn. Paul was lifetime member of Masonic Lodge #80 Orange Blossom in Kissimmee, achieving some ot the highest levels. He also was a Shriner. A memorial is scheduled for 2 pm February 3, 2018 at Osceola Memory Gardens Funeral Home, St. Cloud, Florida. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Paul's life.

Paul LeRoy Forbes

February 6, 1936 - January 21, 2018