Paul "Jamie" Forch, 78, a longtime resident of Trenton, passed away Sunday, August 29, 2021 at his home in Trenton. Paul James Forch, was born north of Stratton, Nebraska, to Robert and Marguerite Forch September 11th, 1942. He attended a one room school house near his home, walking daily through snow, uphill both ways with no shoes through the eighth grade. He attended high school in Stratton Nebraska, graduating in 1960. He pursued higher education at Kearney State College and received his degree in Business Education. Following a year teaching in Columbus, he moved to McCook and started teaching for McCook High School.
In McCook, he met Patricia Hoyt of Culbertson and married her in 1968. He had two children who went on to do great things. Kimberly Hightower served in the United States Navy for 11 years as a Nurse Corps Officer and is now the Director of Nursing for Compassionate Home Health in Broomfield, CO. Chris Forch, who has selected for Captain in the United States Navy, and is currently an instructor at Surface Warfare School in Newport, RI, training future executive and commanding officers for the fleet. Kim is married to Chad Hightower, of Grant, Nebraska, and has two children, Zach and Lizzy. Chris is married to Kristi (Hartel) of Murray, Nebraska and has two children, Chase and Drew.
Jamie taught for over 30 years, reaching three generations of McCook residents. Following retirement in 2000, Jamie continued work, disguised as hobbies, raising game birds for another 10 years, as well as other odd projects on his farm. Further he and his wife spent 10 years summering in Ninilchik, Alaska where they made numerous friends and enjoyed the spoils of Alaskan fishing waters. Jamie was an active Boy Scout Leader with troop 219 of Stratton and Master of the Dutch Oven cooking method. Jamie had a huge heart and was always willing to help (or supervise with tons of sage advice) those in the community as well as his brothers on their various farming ventures.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Willard Hoyt and mother-in-law, Violet Hoyt of Culbertson Nebraska, his brother, Larry “Fritz” Forch, and nephew, Larry K Forch. He was also preceded in death by numerous deer, pheasants, geese, walleye and halibut by his own hand.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Pat; his daughter, Kim; his son, Chris and four grandchildren; sister, Linda; brothers, Robert “Bob” and Dave and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jamie always wanted to live a small life; however, he made an incredible impact on so very many. He was a Lover of Limericks, Professor of Politics, Supervisor and Educator Extraordinaire. He will be dearly missed.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday November 27, 2021 at Community United Methodist Church in Stratton. Inurnment will take place at future date.
Memorials may be made to the family of Paul Forch for future designation. Online condolences may be left at herrmannfh.com. Herrmann-Jones Funeral Chapel is entrusted with arrangements.