Forrest Dee Smith was born on September 10, 1947 at McKinney City Hospital to J.D. and Esther "Marie" (Lewis) Smith. He passed away at his home in Melissa, Texas on April 13, 2026, surrounded by his family and close friends, due to complications of strokes and dementia caused by exposure to Agent Orange, during his time serving his Country in the Vietnam war.
Forrest was affectionately called Smitty, Frosty, Dee Boy, or Daddy. If you knew him by any of those names, you were fortunate to truly know him well.
He attended McKinney schools, and it was during his time at L.A. Scott Junior High that he met the love of his life, Judy Lewis, at the age of 15 while playing football. Their children’s favorite story of this meeting was when Forrest goosed Judy during a play, and she turned around and kicked him in the shins. He took off running, but she chased him down, caught him, and never let go after that.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps while a senior at McKinney High School. After graduating in 1966, he was sent to basic training at Camp Pendleton, where he trained as a Radio Relay Operator. It was during his time stationed in California that Judy once saved his life, pulling him from the waters off the Pacific coast in Carlsbad when he began to drown...just one of many times she would be there to steady and protect him. He was later deployed to Vietnam, where he proudly served his country in the United States Marines Corp until 1971. Forrest was highly decorated for his service, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with five stars, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, Cross of Gallantry, and both Pistol Expert and Rifle Expert badges.
He married Judy Lewis on August 11, 1967, in McKinney, Texas at the Full Gospel Parsonage, officiated by Bro. Earl Rogers. Together, they built a life rooted in love and faith, settling in Melissa, Texas in 1980, where he remained until his passing. From the shores of California to his final days, Judy stood by him....his constant, his protector and even in his last moments, she never stopped trying to help him.
Once back home, he devoted his life to serving the Lord as a Pentecostal minister of the Apostolic Christian faith in Princeton, McKinney and Anna, Texas. He faithfully served until his retirement, passing the baton to his son, Michael. Forrest also retired from Anna ISD in 2009. In his retirement years, he stayed busy as a handyman....building stuff, fixing things, helping others in his community, and cerakoting firearms. He was rarely still and could often be found at the local hardware store.
With Judy, he leaves behind four children: Jeana Pixler (Steven Pixler) of Mansfield, Texas; Ginger Postel (Alan Postel) of Mansfield, Texas; Michael Smith (Miranda Smith) of Leonard, Texas; and Amanda Holcomb (William Holcomb) of Melissa, Texas.
He was especially proud of his many grandchildren. Alaina, Natalie, Nicolas, Christopher, Ana, and Ella Pixler; Elliott and Winston Postel; Logan, Nolan, and Alexander Smith; Ethan Simper, Sophia Stone, Maya Gilbert and Rhett Gilbert.
Forrest was heartbroken by the loss of two of his precious grandchildren, Kirsten Pixler and Oliver Postel and was quick to include and say their names when people would ask about his grandkids. He cherished the time he had with his great-grandchildren: Eleanoura, Jude, Weston, Indy Belle, and Remington.
He is also survived by his sister, Ruth Williams of McKinney, Texas; his brother-in-law, Ronald “Buck” Lewis (Charlotte Lewis) of Melissa, Texas and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
It would not be right to not mention his lifelong best friend and Sergeant while in Vietnam, Rick Boisselle of Titusville, Florida. Even in the face of death they always found something to laugh about. Rick has said he wouldn’t have made it without Smitty and his witty humor. Forrest’s children grew up hearing their stories (well, most of them!) and how Rick was held in very high esteem in their dad's eyes. He was his brother in arms, and a brother for life.
Forrest was proceeded in death by his two grandchildren, as well as his parents, J.D. and Esther "Marie" Smith, and grandparents, William Henry and Anna Mae (Risher) Smith, General Forrest and Tommie Florence (Alston) Lewis and a host of other family members and dear friends.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the VA nurses, hospice nurses and caregivers, the Melissa Fire Department, and Captain Tyler Wine for their unwavering care, compassion, and support.
The family will be receiving visitors on Wednesday evening, April 22, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Chapel, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas with military honors at the graveside at Elm Grove Cemetery in Anna, Texas following the service. Funeral services will be officiated by his son, Bro. Michael Smith.
Pallbearers will be grandsons Ethan Simper, Rhett Gilbert, Logan, Nolan, and Alexander Smith, and nephews Andy Williams and Edward "Neal" Lewis.
The service will be live streamed at TJMfuneral.com on Forrest’s obituary page by clicking on the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Forrest Smith’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project at support Wounded Warrior Project, honoring his service to this country.