Rex Jackson ‘Jack’ Forrest

Rex Jackson “Jack” Forrest, longtime Mexia business man, passed away peacefully at home April 9, 2019, at the age of 90.  A service to celebrate Jack’s life was held Thursday morning, April 11, at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Henry Radde and the Rev. Maurine Day officiating.  Interment was in the Mexia Cemetery.  

Jeff Forrest, Ragan Forrest, Jett Forrest, Blair Austin, Blake Austin and Jason Thomas served as pallbearers.  Honorary pallbearers were Holloway Martin, Morris Kerr and the Rotary Club of Mexia.

Jack was born March 2, 1929, in Mexia, to Nolan Blake and Frances Ella “Fanell” Jackson Forrest.  After high school, Jack began serving his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Jack married his lifelong partner, Ina Beth Brotherton, on Oct. 21, 1950. In 1958, he became a partner in Womack Insurance and Realty Service, and owner in 1976.   

Jack joined the Rotary Club of Mexia in 1964 and was still an active member.  He served in numerous capacities, both locally and internationally, a few of which included president of the Rotary Club of Mexia, director of Rotary International, Chairman of the Rotary Foundation Chairman’s Advisory Committee, and while serving on the executive committee of the U.S. Polio-Plus Pioneer Campaign Committee he garnered recognition as a PolioPlus Pioneer.   

Jack was instrumental in serving twice on the Mexia City Commission, president of the Mexia Chamber of Commerce, the Mexia Industrial Foundation, the General Mexia Memorial Hospital board, president of the Mexia Country Club, chairman of the Official Board of the First United Methodist Church, a member of the Conference Board of Trustees of Methodist Central, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Methodist Affiliated Hospitals in Fort Worth, a member of the Advisory Board of Mary Hardin Baylor University and served as a director of the Baylor Bear Foundation.

Although, active in numerous things outside the home, Jack’s priorities began at home and with serving the Lord.  He loved his family and was always supportive of them, which was reciprocated.  He was especially proud of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Jack was an active lifetime member of First United Methodist Church.

 He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Louneita and John Sims Stubbs; brother and sister-in-law, Blake and Diane Forrest; and brother-in-law George T. Barrow.

Jack is survived by his wife, Ina Beth Forrest; son Robert J. “Bobby” Forrest and wife, Melissa, of Mexia; daughter Nancy Austin and husband, Mickey, of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren Jeff and Sunnye Forrest, of Lorena, Tracy and Jason Thomas, of South Lake, Blair and Jacqueline Austin, of Dallas, and Blake and Ashley Austin, of New York; great-grandchildren, Ragan Forrest, Jett Forrest, Taylor Thomas, Tiffany Thomas, Jackson Austin and Charlie Austin; and sister Margaret Barrow, of Houston.

Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a message of condolence or sign the guestbook.