Lynn F Forbes

— On the day of his 58th birthday, Oct. 8, 2017, Lynn Forrest “4BZ” Forbes lay in a bed in the ICU ward of Community Medical Center in Missoula, surrounded by a great many of those who loved him and whose lives he’d touched. Two who were not in attendance were his mother, Ree, who preceded him in death just five short years ago, and his brother, Ward, whose recent untimely death wore heavy on Lynn’s enormously loving heart. He missed them both immensely, and so, at 6:56 p.m., he went to share the latter part of his birthday with them at their new home in Paradise.

Born in Helena, on Aug. 8, 1959, Lynn spent his formative years skiing, fishing, hunting, partying and raising hell. He attended the local public school system of Helena and graduated from Capital High. After high school, Lynn moved to Missoula, where he attended college, pursuing his B.A. in business, and meeting Connie Jovin (Jette), a widow with two young children, Allison and Luke. He immediately fell in love with the three of them, and stepped into the role of husband and father, marrying Connie in 1992. After receiving his degree, Lynn and Connie moved their family to Kent, Washington, for a short while where Lynn battled cancer and won. They then returned to Missoula in 1994 to raise their children closer to family. Lynn began his sales career and after nearly two decades of employment at Western Business Equipment, he grew extremely close with those he worked with, considering many of them family, his extended “Brothas” and “Sistas.”

Lynn had the biggest, most generous heart anyone could imagine, as all who have met him can attest. Lynn loved Jesus and professed Him as His Lord and Savior in 1995 when he was baptized in the Clark Fork River. Always the life of the party and the center of any social situation he found himself in, he was a born salesman and was never at a lack of witty humor and anecdotes. Whether he was golfing, skiing, fishing, hunting, biking, playing pool, hanging out at the Eagle’s Bar with his friends, throwing darts or horseshoes, he was always making sure that life was full of excitement for all those he loved; though he always kept his “work before play” mentality at the forefront of his actions. He loved nothing more than spending time with his two kids, his three young granddaughters, and his brothers. Ever the optimist, even amidst many recent personal hardships, Lynn always continued to care for those he loved and spoke often of how he looked forward to seeing his family again in Heaven at the side of Jesus, where he now resides.

Lynn was preceded in death by his father, Julian Forbes; his mother, Forrest “Ree” Forbes; his sister, Julain Forbes; his brother, Ward Lee Forbes; and his beloved black Lab, Titus. He is survived by his adoring ex-wife, Connie Jette; eldest brother, Mark Forbes and his wife Connie and their son Michael; his daughter, Allison Bentley and her husband David and their daughters Cayleigh and Mckenzie; and his son, Luke Jovin and Chelsi and their daughter Betty.

A celebration of life will be held for Lynn on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. at Orchard Homes Country Life Club, 2537 S. Third St. W., in Missoula. All who shared in this special man’s life are welcome to come and share memories and love.