Milestone: Forrest Masters celebrates 100th birthday

Published 11:00 am Monday, December 30, 2019

Forrest Masters, a long-time resident of the Grande Ronde Valley and now living in Beaverton, turned 100 on Dec. 7. This milestone was celebrated with friends and family on his birthday.

Forrest was born in Polk, Nebraska, and moved to Corvallis with his family early in his life. He graduated from Corvallis High School and enrolled at what is now Oregon State University. While there he met his future wife, Alice Hughes. When the U.S. became involved in World War II, he quit college and enlisted in the Navy and became a pilot. During the war he flew dive bombers off the carrier Intrepid and received several medals and commendations for his actions.

Upon returning from the war, Forrest married Alice and shortly thereafter moved to the La Grande area and started his family, raising four boys and working in several occupations. For several years he was involved in farming and at one time owned a business. He worked for years at Goss Motors selling cars and as shop foreman.

For several years, Forrest served on the school board and he was very active in the First Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis. He and Alice moved to King City in the late 1980s to be closer to family and escape the Eastern Oregon winters. There he remained active in Kiwanis and the local Presbyterian church and played a lot of golf.

In 2008 Alice passed away after more than 50 years of marriage. Forrest remained active in the community volunteering for Meals on Wheels and became a first-rate bridge player. Up until a few months ago he was still driving and just recently moved into an assisted living facility. His new address is 10880 SW Davies Road, Apt. 100, Beaverton 97008. Friends are encouraged to contact him and wish him a Happy Birthday.