Gilbert Forrest

Gilbert was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a preacher of the Gospel for over 67 years. He was 88 years old.

Gilbert was born in Canadian, Texas on February 22, 1935 to his parents, Robert “Bob” and Erma (Gilbert) Forrest. In 1953 Gilbert graduated from Canadian High School where he participated in 4-H, had prize-winning show calves and was also selected for the Texas All-State Marching Band playing bass tuba. Inspired by the love and encouraging guidance he received from his “Grandpa Gilbert”, he pursued an education at Midwest Christian College in Oklahoma City before entering pastoral ministry.

Gilbert married the love of his life, Barbara Gray, on September 2, 1954 in Oklahoma City – in 15 months they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

While in Bible College, Gilbert preached at the Mulhall Christian Church. He later went on to serve Westside Christian Church in Tulsa, OK, Tuttle Christian Church, Tuttle, OK, First Christian Church, Wellington, TX, Fletcher Christian Church in Fletcher, OK, Pawnee Rock Christian Church, Pawnee Rock, KS, Panther Creek Church, Plunketville, OK which was part of the Kiamichi Mountains Christian Mission based in Honobia, OK.

Gilbert was founding pastor of Christ’s Church, Cove, AR and later served as founding pastor of Cornerstone Christian Church in Plainview, TX, then Jewell Christian Church, Jewell, KS, Mulhall Christian Church, Mulhall, OK Custer Christian Church, Custer City, OK and Orlando Christian Church, Orlando, OK. At the time of his passing, Gilbert was a member of Orlando Christian Church.

Gilbert preached revivals all over the United States – he was an exceptional and popular evangelist preaching crusades in Russia after the fall of the Iron Curtain, ministering to orphanages and helping to establish the Tagonka Christian Church in Moscow.

Gilbert was a gifted storyteller with a big personality and the gift of gab; he was a natural born salesman. In the late 60’s he was Kansas State Sales Manager for Travelers Motor Club and later National Sales Manager for Auto Club of America. And if you’re wondering “what does one thing have to do with the other?” He preached “Don’t just stand there, tell somebody! Don’t just stand there SELL somebody!” When you’re driven to live the “Great Commission” you know how to close any deal.

An inspiring preacher and extraordinary Bible teacher, Gilbert was a passionate student of the Scriptures and a strong supporter of Christian missions around the world. He loved writing poetry and articles for his newsletters. Some of his earliest poems were included in national publications.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Erma Forrest and his grandson, Caleb Forrest.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, 4 sons, Jonathan (Cheryl) Forrest of Clovis, NM, Jim Forrest of Drumright, OK, Joe (Regan) Forrest of Edmond, OK and Jason Forrest of Oklahoma City, OK. 3 sisters, Gwenette Atkinson of New Deal, TX, Marvella Free of New Deal, TX and Jana (Jimmy) Sanders of Lubbock, TX.

Grandchildren, Shannon (Jared) Reeves of Portales, NM, Andrew (Tiffany) Forrest of Clovis, NM., Brandon (Amy) Forrest of Abilene, TX, Jamie (Kyle) Caldwell of Yukon, OK, Julie (Austin) McDonald of Lubbock, TX, Tiara Forrest of Norman, OK, Tanner Forrest of Park City, UT, Taylor Forrest of Edmond, OK, Sydney Spiva of Nashville, TN, Tristin (Zachary) Edgin, Edmond, OK and 13 Great Grandchildren.

The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to all of the Care Givers, Assisted Living Staff and Hospital/Medical Staff who gave compassionately to Gilbert. You are forever in our hearts.

A visitation for Gilbert will be held Tuesday, June 20, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Memorial Park Historic Chapel, 13400 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. That family will be present from 5-7pm to receive guests.

A visitation will occur Wednesday, June 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Mulhall Christian Church, 202 Bryant Ave, Mulhall, OK 73063.

A funeral service will occur Wednesday, June 21, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Mulhall Christian Church, 202 Bryant Ave, Mulhall, OK 73063.

Gilbert will be laid to rest following the service in Morris Heights Cemetery, Orlando, Oklahoma.

If you are unable to attend Gilberts service in person it will also be streamed live online at https://www.facebook.com/MemorialParkOKC/

Serving as pallbearers are Brandon Forrest, Andrew Forrest, Jared Reeves, Jerrid Sanders, Justin Sanders and Drew Waltz.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Forrest family.