Stanley Dee Forester

Stanley Dee Forester
October 11, 1935—January 13, 2022

Stanley Dee Forester of Asheville, NC (lately of Pittsboro, NC), dearly loved husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grand/great-grandfather and friend, passed quietly into the presence of Jesus, January 13, 2022, after a brief illness. He was a devoted family member, church leader, cantata director, volleyball coach, Rook partner, and preacher at the Rescue Mission.  His generosity reached many and his heart for helping others stretched beyond borders.

 He leaves behind his beloved wife of 67 years, Maxine Forester of Pittsboro, NC; four daughters, Christy Theiler (Kurt) of Dover, PA; Susan Williams of Black Mountain, NC; Dee Ruter (Paul) of Hanover, MN; Judy Bailey of Gastonia, NC; brothers, James, Harry and Jonathan, 12 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, Fred and Ellen Forester, brother David Forester, and son, Tim Forester. The second of five sons, Stan grew up in Drexel and Bessemer City, NC. He graduated from Bessemer City High School, where he lettered in every sport, in 1953, completing his education at Baylor University in 1960, with a BA in History, and from Western Carolina University in 1974 with a Master’s Degree in Non-School Guidance and Counseling.  

Stan gave more than 100% in all that he undertook, working passionately on both the temporal and noble, learning how to repair often broken-down family vehicles, helping a family in need, or learning how to make his own butter mints. Stan’s career began in an ice cream shop in high school, where he fired his brother for talking too much with the girls instead of working, to a grocery store in college to support his fast-growing family. After college, he worked with Social Services, then was hired by the NC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. He worked in the Guidance Department at McDowell Tech and left there to work for Primerica in insurance and investments. He purchased a storage unit in Asheville where he loved to meet people and specially to continue to point others to Jesus Christ. After selling the storage units, he actually retired!

No one ever met Stan Forester without being told of faith in Christ and the importance of spending eternity with Him. He was a faithful servant throughout his life.

Funeral services to be held at Asheville Gospel Chapel, 350 Old Haw Creek Road, Asheville, NC on January 22, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Western Carolina Rescue Ministries or to Camp Good News, Fairview.