In loving memory of Lance L. Forsythe - Obituary Baldwin Brothers

Obituary

Retired Naval Commander Lance Lee Forsythe, 76, passed away April 24, 2019 at home in Homosassa, Florida. He was born July 22, 1942 in Bellingham, Whatcom, Washington. He was the son of Harry Morton and Nancy Jane (Lee) Forsythe, who preceded him in death.
Lance spent his childhood in Reseda, California where his dad worked at Lockheed, Burbank. His father was a plane mechanic during WWII at McChord Field, AFB, Tacoma, Washington, then later in Burbank, CA. It is believed that Lance grew a fondness for airplanes, having watched his dad work on them. Lance spent many hours as a young boy putting together model airplanes, painting them, then hanging them from string on his bedroom ceiling. It was a hobby he loved and returned to in his retirement by buying and working on ultralight aircraft. He also flew model airplanes in a nearby field in Homosassa, FL.
In 1957, the family moved to San Jose, CA, where his dad transferred to Lockheed, Sunnyvale. After high school, Lance attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. When he was 19, he chose to go on a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was assigned to Chicago, Illinois. He returned home for a short time to have nasal surgery, resulting in a reassignment to Colorado to finish his mission.
Lance decided as a teenager that he wanted to become a dentist. With the dexterity of his hands working on planes for so many years, it was the perfect profession. After his church mission in 1963, he met Jeannette Marie Byrd. On March 21, 1964, they married in the Los Angeles Latter Day Saint Temple. They were married for 55 years at the time of his death.
After marrying, Lance finished his pre-dental schooling and then entered the UCLA dental school in 1968. He had already joined the Navy, so once he completed dental school, he went into active military duty as a dentist. He loved the Navy; it suited him for many years. His duty onboard the Naval ship Carl Vinson took him around the world.
Lance and Jeannette have four sons, twins Dain and Derek, Erin, and Scott, and daughter Teri (Forsythe) Montgomery. Besides Jeannette his beloved wife, Lance leaves ten grand children, his sister Charry (Forsythe) Stock, nieces and nephews, and Ron Jennings, his foster brother, who all adored him.
He held many church positions over the years, always serving to the best of his ability. Most important to Lance was family, God, friends and serving his country and fellow man.
About five years ago, Lance and a few other dental professionals began a free public dental clinic to serve the poor in their community. Many who cannot afford a dentist continue to receive dental care because of Lance’s initial spearheading of that worthy project. Up until the time of his death, Lance donated his time and skills at that clinic. He thoroughly enjoyed giving service to those in need. All who knew him, found a happy, contented, generous, caring man, who always greeted others with a warm smile and a hearty handshake. He will be greatly missed.
Funeral services will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints building, 3474 W Southern St. Lecanto, Florida, on Tuesday, April 30, 2019 at 9:30 am. Burial will be at the Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida.

Arrangements by Baldwin Brothers Funerals & Cremations 11250 SW 93rd Ct. Rd. Ocala, FL 352-236-7813.