Ted Forbes

Ted Lewis Forbes, Mountain Grove, passed away October 21, 2023, at the age of 97. Ted was born July 9, 1926, on the family farm northeast of Mountain Grove. He was the fifth child of ten born to Burley and Gladys Forbes. Ted and his siblings grew up in a two-room farmhouse raising Hereford cattle, gardening and attending country school.

At the age of 17, Ted traveled to Iowa to work on the farm of family friend Oscar Melton. While in Iowa he was drafted into the United States Army, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. As he arrived in Baltimore to ship out for Europe, WWII ended, and Ted was sent to Okinawa, Japan. He traveled by train from Baltimore to Seattle and by sea on the USS Grimes. Following his time in Japan, he was stationed in Korea during the Korean Conflict. Ted was a seasoned storyteller and enjoyed telling his grandkids about his time as an MP in the Army. He told how he made $19/month in wages and sold all his cigarette rations to local Koreans, sending the money home to his mother on the farm. He intended the money to be used for the farm, but she saved every penny, and he bought his first car with the money…a brand-new Plymouth, for $800!

After his time in the Army, Ted returned to work in Iowa where he met his bride, Pauline Schrader. On July 4, 1947, he was heading to the celebration in Reinbeck, asking his friend Kenny Schrader to go along. Kenny declined, but his sister Pauline popped up and said, “I’ll go.” The two were married February 22, 1948, in Waterloo, Iowa.

Ted and Pauline made their home in the Buckingham area for several years, adding six children to their family: Garry, Paula, Loreen, Ann, Craig and Mark. Farming was a tradition in both the Forbes and Schrader families. Two of Ted’s brothers, John and Bob, moved to Iowa, farming near Ted and Pauline. Ted farmed and raised cattle, hogs and sheep. He loved animals, often bringing baby pigs into the house, keeping them warm on the oven door. Many will recall the stories he told about Jack, the best cattle dog he ever had.

In 1966, Ted and Pauline moved their family to a dairy farm along Wolf Creek, between Mansfield and Hartville, Missouri. In 1975, they sold the farm and Ted started driving a truck, hauling cattle and other products for several years. In 1983, Ted & Pauline moved back to Ted’s roots, Mountain Grove, Missouri, where Ted drove for his brother-in-law, Dale Worrell, until he retired. All of Ted’s grandkids recall trips in the semi with G’pa Ted!

Ted and Pauline celebrated 75 years of marriage in February of 2023. Together they were active members of Trinity Methodist Church as well as the American Legion. He was very proud of his service to his nation. He was fortunate to travel to Washington, DC on an Honor Flight, accompanied by brother Bob. Ted served when he was called and volunteered without being asked. He never met a stranger! He could spin a great story and often told some tall tales. He enjoyed gardening and fishing, playing cards and putting puzzles together. Above all things, Ted cherished family. He was proud of his lineage and those who followed him. He was always great with kids, getting down on the floor with the little ones well into his 90’s. Ted was loyal, mildly stubborn (although Pauline would describe him as severely stubborn) and ever so ornery. He had a twinkle in his eye and a smirk that made you wonder what he was up to. He enjoyed getting Pauline riled up and did so often!

Even as his health and memory failed over the past five years, Ted continued to tell stories of his youth, his time in the Army, of his many siblings and extended family. He might not have remembered your name, but he knew you were special, still called you “Hon” and invited you to visit again. As he taught them, his children stepped up to assist with his and Pauline’s care over the past five years, with all of his children taking time to aid in their daily lives, drive them to doctor’s appointments and just visit. Ted lived in his home until four months ago, a feat he would be proud of. The family would like to thank Paula for her unselfish caring of their parents these past five years.

Ted is preceded in death by his parents, Burley and Gladys Forbes, his in-laws, Dale and Sylvia Schrader, his eldest son, Garry, two grandsons, Tony and Ross Forbes, a great-granddaughter, MaRanda Forbes, a great-great-grandson, Wyatt Forbes, his siblings, Francis “Tooter” Forbes, Zetta Mae Trautman, Mary Worrell, Jean Brewer, JoAnn Webb, Dixie Hutchinson, John Forbes and Clyde Forbes and his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Margaret Schrader.

He is survived by his bride of 75 years, Pauline, their children, Paula Sterling, Loreen (Hank) Forbes-Riddle, Ann (Rich) Engel, Craig (Linda) Forbes, and Mark (Mary) Forbes, brother, Bob, sister-in-law, Barbara Forbes, brother-in-law, Kenny (Betty) Schrader, sister-in-law, Maxine Lowery, 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 12 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.