Kenneth Richard Forrest, 1 SG Retired, of Dixon, was born July 15, 1935, at Seymour, Indiana, a son of Earl and Elizabeth (Bryant) Forrest, and departed this life at 8:38 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2020, at his residence. He had attained the age of 84 years, 8 months, and 21 days.

Kenneth was united in marriage December 24, 1954, at Seymour, Indiana, to the former Sarah Louise Turner, and to this union four daughters were born.

In September of 1952, when Kenneth was seventeen years old, he enlisted in the United States Army and served until October of 1972 after twenty years of service retiring at the rank of First Sergeant. He attended basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, serving two tours in Korea and three tours in Vietnam during the war, and was stationed several places during his military career, including five different times at Ft. Leonard Wood.    During Kenneth's Army Career, he was awarded and entitled to wear the Drill Sgt. Badge, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Bronze Star Medal - Feb. 1, 1967, Vietnam Bronze Star Medal - Oct. 7, 1969, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit (Citation Badge), Vietnam Gallantry Cross (with Palm), Vietnam Citation Badge, Vietnam Campaign Medal (with device), United National Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal with clasp Bronze with 4 loops, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal - Bronze 4 Stars, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Army Commendation Medal.  A man of excellent character, Kenneth's "Honorable Discharge" is a testimonial of honest and faithful service to his country.

After he retired from the Army, Kenneth and his family moved to Dixon, where he started farming.   He later went to work for the Civil Service at Ft. Leonard Wood, as a Transportation Inspector retiring after sixteen years in this field, and also had a rental business in Dixon in the early 80's.

Kenneth was a Member of Sheppard Baptist Church, Dixon.   He was a Bronze Legacy Life Member of VFW post 4238, Dixon, where he was the commander for seven years and was the first veteran in Dixon to receive the Bronze Legacy Life Membership Award from the VFW.

Kenneth enjoyed spending time with his family, working on the farm, attending church, volunteering in the community, at the schools, the VFW, and enjoyed helping others. In 2010 Kenneth and Louise was Grand Marshalls for Dixon Cow Days.

Kenneth is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Louise, of the home in Dixon; his daughters, Sue and husband, Cliff Lewallen, Belle Chasse, Louisiana; Patty and husband, Gary Bowman, and Cathy Ethington, all of Dixon; ten Grandchildren, David Ferguson, John Ferguson, Laura Warren, Stephanie Giglio, Amanda Lewallen, Shannon Scott, Savanna Bowman, Colton Bowman, Jessica Kingsbury, and Alicia Ethington; fifteen great grandchildren;  brother, Jerry Forrest, Lake Havasu City, Arizona; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Debra Louise Ferguson; his parents; two brother, Earl Forrest, Jr., and George Forrest; and one sister, Alice McKinney.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family visitation for Mr. Kenneth R. Forrest will be held in the Dixon Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Home prior to his graveside funeral service at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, 2020, in the Dixon Cemetery, with Brother Austin McCormick officiating.

Those wishing to attend the graveside service for Mr. Kenneth R. Forrest are welcome to attend and stay in their vehicles at the cemetery with the minister using a portable radio broadcast at 100.5 FM for all to hear.

Memorials are suggested to the Sheppard Baptist Church or to VFW Post 4238, in care of the Birmingham-Martin, P.O. Box EE, Dixon, MO 65459.