Royal Forbes

Royal Ezekiel Forbes was born on January 25, 1956 in Sandy Point, Turks and Caicos Islands to Carey Onilda  Handfield and Evan Ezekiel Forbes. He was the second child of seven born to the couple. When his father died from a tragic accident when Royal was only 13, he became a critical source of support for his widowed mother and younger siblings. He regularly spearfished to generate income to support his family, even fashioning his own unique mechanized spearfish from parts of an automatic weapon. In his late teens, Royal worked in carpentry in the islands, supporting the construction of several housing projects. But ever since his childhood, Royal dreamed of being in the U.S Navy. 

That dream became possible on November 24, 1980 when Royal, now a visitor in the U.S. staying on the East Coast, received word that his green card was approved. That was a key defining point in his life, and immediately thereafter he applied for the U.S Navy. He was ultimately stationed in Portland, Oregon. In 1981 he was introduced to Michelle Bryant, eldest daughter of Mae and James Bryant, and on August 25, 1984 they were wed at a small ceremony of family and friends at the family home of Michelle's grandmother Flora Bryant. 

After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Royal began working at the Lloyd Corporation and shortly thereafter joined Multnomah County Facilities Management in 1987. He began as an HVAC technician and retired from there 36 years later as a lead manager. On March 5, 1989 Michelle gave birth to a daughter, Lauren Whitney Forbes, whom Royal nicknamed "Cookie". She would be their only child. Before she could even walk, Royal had taught her how to safely climb down the stairs backwards on her own, a testament to his outside of the box approach to many things. 

Royal was a great man of God who loved Jesus and his family very much. He was a man of few words, but those who had the opportunity to get to know him know that he had a great sense of humor, never took himself or others too seriously, liked learning new things, and developed a very close walk with the Lord. He worked hard, cared deeply, and lived a full life without regrets, despite the challenges he experienced in his life. Throughout his adult life, he never lost sight of his faith and hope in the Lord, and he passed along that faith and hope to his family. 

Royal is survived by his wife Michelle Forbes and daughter Lauren Forbes, mother Carey Forbes, sisters Sharon Francis, Pearl Pierre, Patty Dickenson, and Sherolee Forbes (sister-in-law); brothers Hart and Justus Forbes, mother-in-law Mae Bryant, father-in-law James Bryant, sister-in-law Joyce Bryant, brother-in-law Michael Bryant and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and
nephews, cousins, and other loved ones.

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