Gordon Jameson Forsyth

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Gordon Jameson Forsyth was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on June 16th in 1928, to Gordon and Amy Bernadine (Jameson) Forsyth. He passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the age of 91.

At the age of 5 his family moved to Colfax Iowa where he graduated from Colfax High School as Valedictorian in 1946. He was a talented musician. While in high school, he was a member of The Swing Zombies and the Dixieland Kids, who regularly appeared on the nationally broadcast Saturday Night Barn Dance Frolic on WHO radio. Enlisting in the U.S. Army upon graduation he was stationed in Ft. Dix, New Jersey, where he played in the band and later in the 5th Army Band. On leave, he took the train to New York City to hit the Jazz clubs. He spent his time watching the big names of the Golden Age of Jazz and occasionally sitting in to play with them.

Following his honorable discharge from the army, he enrolled in the University of Iowa. While playing trombone in band on summer break at the Prairie City, Iowa, Band Shell, he met Martha Joan DeWit, who was seated in the flute section. On Sept. 10, 1950, they married, and he finished his undergraduate studies at Iowa graduating with highest distinction. He attended the Iowa Law School graduating Order of Coif. In 1954, he moved to Estherville and began practicing law. Throughout his distinguished career, he served as the part time Emmet County Attorney, long time City Attorney, and was a general practice lawyer who represented generations of Northwest Iowans. He was a member of the Iowa State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, served on the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission and other committees. He also served on numerous civic and United Methodist commissions and committees. He loved his work and retired at the age of 84.

He leaves behind his wife of 69 yrs. Martha Joan Forsyth, son David (Marcia) Forsyth, daughter Priscilla Forsyth, son-in-law Jonathan Haut, grandchildren; Adam Forsyth, Samantha (Don) Van Oort, David (Becky) Haut, Jonathan Haut, Andrew (Therese) Haut, niece Jane Fitzgibbons and numerous great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Priscilla (James) Dickens, his daughter Martha Diane Haut and nephew James Dickens.

In light of the COVID-19 concerns, in lieu of visitation, we will be having a private family funeral and will hold a Celebration of Life event for Gordon to be announced at a later date.

Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Estherville, with military rites by VFW Post 3388 and American Legion Post 91, both of Estherville.

HenryOlsonFuneral.com