James Forbis Jr.

James H. “Nooney” Forbis Jr, 95, died March 1, 2018 at the Cameron Hospital, He was born in Columbia, MO on January 26, 1923, to the late James H. & Nora Ann (Ferguson) Forbis.

Nooney was the oldest of two children; a graduate of Hickman High School in Columbia and joined the Army at the start of WWII, serving as a paratrooper in the Pacific Theater and the Philippines, he achieved the rank of Chief Master Sargent and Warrant Officer during the course of WWII and the Korean War as an instructor, and went on to serve additional time in the Army Reserves with a total of 37 years of military service.  He was a private pilot and for years had “odd jobs” like a Christmas Tree Lot, selling fireworks and real estate so his wife could stay at home.  Nooney retired from the FAA in 1976, after 27 years of service where he was an Air Traffic Controller and spent his retirement at the Lake of the Ozarks prior to settling in Kansas City, MO where his children and grandchildren reside.  Nooney also served as a KC Auxiliary Policeman, Voluntary Fireman at the Lake of the Ozarks in Gravois Mills, MO, and a longtime member of the Lions & VFW post 10906.

In addition to his parents, Nooney was preceded in death by beloved wife Betty Jo who he married on April 17, 1944 and his sister Betty Joyce Brueckner

Nooney and Betty Jo loved to travel and visited every state in the lower 40 and Hawaii.  They loved their family and friends who enjoyed the Lake with them.  They were members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church at the Lake and St. Charles Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO.

Nooney is survived by his children Joy (Jim) Juhl, Donna (Tom) Klocek, and Terry  (Debbie) Forbis.  His grandchildren include Scott and Mark Juhl, Joe and Ben Klocek, and Meredith Lamb.  His great grandchildren include Lauren, Emily and Graham Juhl, Nathan Klocek, and Jamie and Zane Lamb, and numerous nieces and nephews.  He will long be remembered.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Cameron Veterans home for the gracious care of their father.

Visitation will be Friday, March 9, 2018 from 1-2 PM with Funeral Services immediately following at 2 PM at Terrace Park Funeral Home; 801 NW 108th St. (169 Hwy & Shoal Creek) Kansas City, MO. Burial with military honors will follow in Terrace Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, family requests that memorial contributions go to the Veterans Charity of your choice. Share online condolences at TerraceParkFuneral.com.