Donald R. Forsyth Sr.'s Obituary
Donald Renault Forsyth, Sr. of Germantown, TN passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on July 18, 2026. He was the loving and devoted husband of Ann B. (Drennan) Forsyth whom he married in 1964 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Medford, MA. Don was born on October 1, 1929, in Kansas City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, Col. Andrew E. Forsyth and Tevera B. (McCormick) Forsyth. Don was a devout Catholic and a faithful communicant of many parishes throughout his life.
Don resided in several locations in the United States, as well as the Far East and the Republic of Panama. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army. He attended St. Xavier Catholic School and Junction City High School in Junction City, KS. He received an undergraduate degree from San Francisco State University and a master’s degree from Kansas State University. He also attended The American Institute of Foreign Trade, Phoenix, AZ.
Don was the owner of The Forsyth Truck & Farm Equipment Company, Junction City, KS and retired from The UNISYS Corporation and The United States Treasury Department, Memphis, TN. He was also a Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus, Junction City, KS.
Don is survived by his wife, Ann, and their four children and their families, whom he loved beyond measure: Andy Forsyth (Sandra) of Cornelius, NC and their children Drew (Morgan) and Abby Solomito (Andrew); Donny Forsyth (Jen) of Charlotte, NC, and their children, Gibbs, Max, and Luke; Larry Forsyth (Toni) of Overland Park, KS, and their children, Torin, Tad, and Taber; and Meg Beckman (Jim) of Littleton, CO, and their children, Aaron (Paulina), Claire, Daniel, Jonathan, and Brian. In 2025, Don joyfully welcomed his first great-grandson, Kip Beckman.
Don was loved by his family and friends, and all enjoyed his sense of humor, which was often directed towards himself including the phrase, “I’m a diabetic for the FBI.” His grandchildren lovingly called him “Grinchpaw” during the Christmas season. He enjoyed reading, especially books by John Grisham, and having his daily cup of coffee with friends at the local Starbucks. His knowledge of the armed forces was extensive, and he frequently pointed out inaccuracies in the uniforms depicted in movies.
All services will take place at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 8151 Poplar Ave., Germantown, TN on Friday, August 14th.
9:00AM-10:00AM Visitation
10:00AM-10:30AM Rosary
10:30AM-11:30AM Funeral Mass with Military Honors
11:30AM Columbarium Committal
Reception following
The family asks that gifts and memorials go to Our Lady of Perpetual Help School/Church, Germantown, TN, St. Xavier Catholic School, Junction City, KS, or the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930. “Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.
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