Homer Duke Forester

Services: A Funeral Service will be held in the funeral home at 10:00 AM on Friday, April 1, 2005 with Fr. John Mattingly officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens. Visitation: Public visitation will be held in the funeral home from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM on Friday, April 1, 2005. James "Homer" Duke Forester, 96, of Leonardtown, MD died March 29, 2005 in Leonardtown, MD. Born April 6, 1908 in Drayden, he was the son of the late John S. Forester and Olive Ruth Duke both of Northumberland, Virginia. Homer had two sisters: Panzie Mary Forrester, Hilda Lucille Forester and, an older brother, Wilbur Davenport Forrester. As a child, Homer lived on the family farm in Drayden, MD. This is where his family relocated from Northumberland, Virginia. It was on this farm, with its proximity to the St. Mary's River, where he developed his love for crabbing and fishing and mastered the art of vegetable gardening. Homer's childhood friendship with his neighbor, Clarence Adams, also of Drayden, was the catalyst in meeting his future bride, Catherine Adams, of Compton, MD. They were married on April 24, 1932 and were just about to celebrate 71 years of marriage. Both Homer and Catherine are the proud and dedicated parents to their only daughter Catherine Lucille Goldbach. In 1934 Homer started his first career, working for the State Highway Administration. He gave St. Mary's County and the State of Maryland; 40 years of dedicated and loyal service. He still likes to talk about the great snowstorms of the fifties and sixties. On January 1st, 1974, he retired officially and started his second career, RETIREMENT! Homer's pet pride was always his grandchildren: John and Frank Goldbach. For all of those that knew him at all, he would, whenever the opportunity presented itself, brag about their success and their families, and to his final day he continued that practice. All of the neighbors, wherever he lived, knew of the tireless efforts he would put into his garden, and reap the rewards of that hard work. He was truly known for his productive vegetable gardens. Homer would have been 97 this April 6th, and be assured, his reputation of hard work, honesty, kindness and loyalty have taught all that have known him the value and meaning of those basic principles of life. Homer was the grandfather of 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. The family received friends in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home on April 1st where a Funeral Service was held with Father John Mattingly officiating. Interment followed in Charles Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers were John Golbach, Johnn Goldbach, Robert Goldbach, Frank Goldbach and Michael Goldbach. Contributions may be made to Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 299, Leonardtown, MD 20650. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.