Byron Forgy

Byron Forgy, 88, of Morganton passed away Monday, January 14, 2013. Born in Muhlenberg County, KY on November 26, 1924, he was the son of the late Murray Forgy and Polly Rosser Forgy. During Byron’s teen years, he starred on his high school basketball team in Auburn, KY. There he met Jean, his lifelong sweetheart. They were married September 16, 1945, had two children, and have been side-by-side and hand-in-hand ever since.Byron went to college at Western Kentucky University and then Pharmacy School at the University of Kentucky, from which he received his degree in pharmacy. This began a very successful career in retail business. It started in a small, coal mining town in Kentucky, passed through Louisville, KY and Daytona Beach, FL, and then climaxed in Fort Lauderdale, FL and Blowing Rock, NC.Byron was loved and respected by all who knew him. He was devoted to his family, both immediate and extended, and that devotion never wavered and was clearly evident during his last days."We love you, Dad. We will miss you awfully, but we are grateful that you are now pain-free, care-free, and can really enjoy the Duke basketball games. Thanks for all you did and all you were to all of us."Byron is survived by his wife, Jean Hall Forgy of the home; a son, Dr. Keith Forgy of Morganton; a daughter, Kathy Pitts and her husband, Randy, of Morganton; granddaughters, Kelli Willard and her husband, Dean, and Kristi Whitley; great-grandchildren, Ryan Martinez, Bryce Martinez, and Tucker Whitley; and a sister, Betty Whitten of Portand, OR.In addition to his parents, Byron was preceded in death by a sister, Sylvia Lee Harmon, and a daughter-in-law, Dianne "Dee" Forgy.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, January 17, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ralph May officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Hill Fire and Rescue Protection Association, 2400 NC Hwy 181 North, Morganton, NC 28655.