Forrest W. Balcombe, born to Thomas Henry and Maude (Sexton) Balcombe, June 9, 1920, in Cosmopolis, Wash., passed away at his home early Saturday morning July 15, 2017. He spent his last year surrounded by surviving family: son, Robert W. “Bob” and daughter-in-law Linda, granddaughter Kelsey Lilananh and three great-grandchildren; Keegan, Kylee and Konor. His wife of 64 years, Dorothy Louise Balcombe, brothers Henry, Ellis, Robert W. (1935), Dewey, Roger, Clayton and Brandt “Johnny” and a sister Olive Rourke.

After graduating from Aberdeen’s Weatherwax High School, where he played basketball, including the All Star team of 1939, Forrie enlisted in the Army in September, 1940 with the Coast Artillery and moved to Field artillery while participating in the (ETO) European Theater 1945-1946.

Most well know as an excellent athlete, Forrie started bowling in 1946 straight out of the Army at the lanes above The Smoke Shop. He would set pins for 10 lanes, bowl 5 nights a week for many years and bowled through the 2016-2017 season of the Friday Senior League in Aberdeen. He played on the VFW Post #224 State Champions Fast Pitch team of 1951. Forrie began golfing in 1933, playing until 89 years of age, gathering 8 “Hole in One” certificates, seven at Cosmopolis Highlands Golf Course and including the 9th hole at Grays Harbor Country Club during a tournament.

After working for E.C. Miller, Blagen’s Saw Mill, Bay City and Schaefers mills, he retired from Weyerhaeuser in 1982 with 25 years of service.

He will be missed by a large group of friends and fellow athletes.

At his request there will be no memorial service.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.