Forest W. Price

Forest W Price 88, of Rockford passed away October 12, 2019.  Forest was born October 17, 1930 in Vandalia, Missouri.  He was the youngest of four children born to James and Velma Anderson Price.  He graduated from Garfield High School in Mexico, Missouri as a scholar and track star.  He studied for three years at Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri, prior to enlisting in the United States Air Force where he served honorably for four years as a Senior Photographer.  After returning from duty, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lincoln and a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Denver, Colorado.  He married his college sweetheart and the love of his life Marjorie Partridge on December 11, 1955 in Omaha, Nebraska.  

Employment as a Clinical Social Worker with the Mental Health Clinic brought Forest and family to Rockford.  Forest was one to the original founders of Glenwood Park Evaluation and Treatment Center.  He gave generously of his time and resources to serve on several community boards:  Rosecrance, Booker T. Washington Center, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Rockford Housing Authority, Northern Illinois Blood Bank, and the Rockford Area Literacy Council.  Forest was appointed to the Winnebago County Health Department and the Rockford Fire and Police Commission.  He also served on the Rockford Memorial Hospital Board and elected chairman 1992-1993.

During his working years, Forest acquired post graduate training from several universities, and he completed training for an Advanced Certificate in Geriatric Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine. He maintained an active an active role in the National Association of Social Workers and was named Social Worker of the Year by the local association.  He served as one of the directors of the statewide Committee on Inquiry (Ethics Committee), supervisor to those qualifying for license in the State of Illinois, consultant with Early Child Death Committee of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, consultant to the Carrie Lynn Children Center and the Northern Illinois Health Committee.  Member of Rockford Rotary/Paul Harris Fellow, Life Member Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and Lincoln University of Missouri Alumni Association.  He was a loyal, faithful and giving member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.  He was honored by Pilgrim Baptist Church with the Trail blazer award in 2017 and honored as African American Father of the Year by the Ethnic Heritage Museum.  Forest retired from fulltime practice in Family Therapy in 1998.  

Forest traveled through several European countries and around the United States with family and friends.  He enjoyed playing golf and participating in activities at the YMCA.   

Forest will be missed by family including wife Marjorie, son, Forest II, sister, Willmetta Daniels of Aurora, Colorado, Connie Price-Smith, Oxford, Mississippi, son in-law, Lynroy Grant, Bloomfield, Connecticut, sister in la-law, Sharon Bradford, Bellflower, California, brother in=law Robert Partridge, Omaha, Nebraska, many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his parents, James and Velma Price, daughter, Karen Price Grant, and sister, Gloria Norris.  

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, October 18, 2019.  Visitation from 9:00 am until time of service at Pilgrim Baptist Church 1703 South Central Ave.  Arrangements completed by Collins & stone Funeral Home 128 S Fifth Street.
 

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