James Lawrence Forsyth – Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

From a contemporary press report:

James Lawrence Forsyth, 64, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, died of heart ailments July 4, 1999 at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Virginia..

Colonel Forsyth was born in Lynn, Massachusetts, and he joined the Air Force in 1952. His career included service as a navigator and command of a B-52 crew. He graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He retired from the Air Force in 1973 after having served as a data processing specialist at Strategic Air Command headquarters in Omaha.

His decorations included a Meritorious Service Medal.

On retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Forsyth moved to Fairfax, where he joined Honeywell Inc. as a systems analyst. He retired there as a senior technical consultant in 1992.

In 1997, he reinstated his civilian pilot’s license. His avocations included building and flying radio-controlled airplanes. From 1996 to 1999, he was treasurer of the Northern Virginia Radio Control Club.

He also enjoyed sailing, and he participated as a crew member in several races and sailing expeditions.

Survivors include his wife of 44 years, Janet Berthe Forsyth of Fairfax; four children, Cheryl Boyd of Southern Shores, N.C., Larry Forsyth of Boynton Beach, Fla., Terri Dougherty of South Riding, Va., and Charles Forsyth of Fairfax; a sister; a brother; and six grandchildren.


FORSYTH, JAMES LAWRENCE, Lt. Col., USAF (Ret.)

On Sunday, July 4, 1999, at Fairfax Hospital, JAMES L. FORSYTH, of Fairfax, VA, beloved husband of Janet; father of Cheryl, Larry, Terri and Charles; brother of Pat St. Gelais and the late Barbara Sullivan, Chris Forsythe and the late Jack Forsythe. Also survived by six grandchildren, Sean, Rebecca, Alston, Samuel, Marshall and Kylie, and many nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial, Thursday, July 15, at 11 a.m. at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, 3700 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA. Interment Arlington National Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 7203 Poplar St., Annandale, VA 22003.

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