The soul of Thomas C. Forth of Centerville, Iowa left this earth to be with his Lord on Friday, June 5th. Thomas was born in Syracuse, NY on March 8, 1929, the son of Charles and Millicent (Ball) Forth. He grew up in the rural hamlet of Watervale in southern Onondaga County. He attended a one room school house in Watervale and then Manlius High School. He left school to join the U.S. Navy in the final days of World War II, serving on two destroyers in the Atlantic Ocean as a radioman. After military service he returned to Watervale and graduated from Fabius Central High School.
He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as a high speed radio operator in Tokyo, Japan. During his Air Force service, he completed five years of college, graduating from California State University at Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. During the Vietnam War, he completed 102 missions over Vietnam. During his military service, he logged some 7000 flying hours. He was awarded the customary campaign medals from each war; Good Conduct Medal and the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster (denoting second award).
Upon retirement from the U.S. Air Force he was employed by Weaver Equipment Company as a comptroller. After retirement fro Weaver Equipment Company, he relocated to Centerville, Iowa. During this period, he served over twelve years as a member of the Centerville Airport Commission.
Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Charles & Millicent (Ball) Forth; and his brother, Robert (Marion Delihl).
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his son, Kermit Charles (Cynthia); his daughter, Millicent Jean (Randy); his son, Jeffrey Thomas (Elizabeth); a briother, Roderick (Carol) Forth; several nieces and nephews; seven grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren.
Family and friends may call from 1-2 pm Thursday at the Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Rd., Manlius. A service will begin following the visitation at 2 pm. Burial will military honors will follow in Watervale Cemetery.