Mont Andrew Forbes Eulogy

CARPENTER, FORBES

Posted By: Volunteer Paul French
Date: 5/13/2007 at 16:48:52

Mr. Mont A. Forbes, known to his friends as Mont or Montie, was a true teacher in every sense of the word. He was one who loved the great out-of-doors, and wondered at its mysteries; one who devoted himself to wholesome activities; and one who saw the best in people and was a friend to be trusted.

Some forty years ago a young man came from the mid-west seeking a teaching position in Azusa. Since he lacked some college work in order to qualify for a California teaching credential, he was requested to return when he could obtain one. This he did and thus began a long and successful teaching career in Azusa. Mont greatly enjoyed and was particularly qualified to teach physical education. He participated in the games with the boys, coached their teams, refereed games in the league, and played on the local town teams. It was at this time that Mont helped Johnnie Falcon, a youth from a very humble home, become National Junior Olympic champion. Only Sunday evening Mont telephoned to express great concern because of the passing of a close friend who had been associated with him over the years in the athletic and recreational programs in this community.

Because of his excellent work Mont was invited to teach in the Downey Union High School District, which he accepted. During this time he was very active in the Presbyterian Church. Eventually this led to a teaching career in the Los Angeles City Schools where he continued to work as long as he was able.

It was during this time that Mont met a very gifted and fine lady who agreed to share life’s experiences with him. This greatly enriched his life, giving him the love and companionship that he so richly deserved.

Mont loved the great out-of-doors, the mountains, the ocean, and the desert. He was at his best with a group of boys under his tutelage in the high Sierra, exploring tide pools along the seashore, or gathering rock specimens in the desert.

He was intensely loyal to his Alma Mater, the University of Southern California. It was here he received his Master’s Degree and where he became acquainted with Jess Hill, whom he greatly admired. The S.C. song, “Fight On For Old S.C.” was a part of Mont—for the past four years he fought against almost insurmountable odds and kept cheerful and encouraged those around him.

He was a member of Azusa Lodge #305 of Free and Accepted masons. He lived the precepts of masonry and always looked forward to its meetings when he was able to attend.

These lines from the “Western Review” express Mont’s philosophy.

“I have given my time to the children of men,
together we’ve romped and we've played,
And I wouldn’t recall the glad hours spent
with them for all of the gold to be made,
I chose to be known and be loved by the boys,
and was deaf to the plaudits of men,
And I’d make this same choice, should the
chance come to me, to live my life over again.”

Many youth are better, their lives are more worthwhile to themselves, their families, and others because Mont passed by this way.

Eulogy by C. C. Carpenter,
his friend and Superintendent
of Schools, March 1968

Source: transcription contained in “Family History” of the Barker, Sherod, and Forbes families and descendants compiled by Bernadine Forbes Clark, December 1980.