A. Forrest Eastham, Jr.

Archie Forrest “Forrey” Eastham, Jr., a lifelong resident of Ellensburg, passed away peacefully at home with his family on Friday, September 20, 2024.

Forrest was born April 25, 1932 in Ellensburg to Archie Forrest Eastham (Sr.) and Mildred (McInnis) Eastham. He attended the College Elementary School as a youngster, the Ellensburg Junior High School, and then graduated from Ellensburg High School with the class of 1950. He was active in sports; football, basketball, and baseball. The summer of 1950 he got a job at the Ellensburg Telephone Company (ETC) digging post -holes (his first experience with a jackhammer, which left him with lots of aches and pains). In September, 1950 he started his first quarter at Central Washington State College (CWU).

In 1950 on the eve of Thanksgiving, Forrey was in a terrible car accident on Highway 10. This accident left him with serious injuries that resulted in his right hip being permanently fused and lots of severe burns. His recovery took him a few years before he was able to return to work in the front office of ETC in 1952. He was able to work part-time as he attended Washington State College (WSU) from 1953 to 1956 where he joined the fraternity of Phi Delta Theta. He then returned home as a full-time employee of ETC. He retired as Senior Vice President in 1998 on the day the Company was sold.

In 1952 while working at the phone company, Forrey was re-acquainted with Betty Jane Kukes who he teased constantly. They were married on September 8, 1956 and celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this year.

In 1958 their first child, Alan Forrest was born, then their family was expanded to Tim Archie, Tony Richard, and Jana Sue. As a Dad, Forrey enjoyed participating in all the children’s activities. Forrey, Alan, and Tim (the older boys) joined the Indian Guides where they learned many skills including how to properly take care of firearms. 

The family enjoyed many camping trips in The Icicle, Cooke Canyon, and Priest Lake, ID. They also loved trips to the Ocean, including a special one to the Peninsula with brother Jim, his family, and mother Mildred where they fished for flounder and dug for clams. The children slept in tents (in the rain), and the adults slept in a travel trailer. 

Forrey’s love of fishing, included trout streams, lakes, and the ocean. He also enjoyed hunting; for ducks, pheasants, elk, deer, and later on for mushrooms. He especially enjoyed the elk camp in the fall with his brothers in law Harry, Al, Ken, and Russ. The many stories around the camp were a hoot.

In 1972, the family took a two week trip to Disneyland making many stops along the way. The day before their trip, they paid $100 earnest money on a big old house on Third and Poplar that would be their home for the next 40+ years.

Forrey and Janie enjoyed traveling together over the years with their favorite trip being a month long visit to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii which included planes, train, oceanliners, and buses in 1991. In 1989, they were unhappily surprised being in the middle of the San Francisco Earthquake while visiting friends. 

In the 1950s Forrey discovered golf! He thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent on the golf course and participated in three Pro-Am tournaments over the years. In fact, it was on the golf course that Forrey survived a sudden cardiac arrest in 2012 and, thanks to the quick thinking of his golf buddies and an off-duty EMT who happened to be passing by, that he was revived.

Forrey had a very sharp wit, always had a smile on his face, and will be loved and missed by all who knew him.

Forrey is survived by his wife, Jane Eastham of Ellensburg; son Tony (Patricia) Eastham of Covington; daughter Jana (Frank) Manterola of Ellensburg; brother Jim (Patty) Eastham of Richland; grandchildren and their significant others Paige Eastham, Jeff Eastham (Karissa), Kelcey Manterola (Dave) and Courtney Manterola (Nick); great grandchildren Breelyn, Zoey and Kylee; daughter in-law Ellen Eastham as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In addition to his parents, Forrest was preceded in death by his sons Alan and Tim as well as his sister, Phyllis Mines.

Memorial contribution in Forrest’s honor are suggested to KVH Hospice, 1506 E. Radio Road in Ellensburg. The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to KVH Home Health & Hospice, especially to Ducky and Chad for their care and keeping everyone’ spirits up during Forrey’s last days. Additionally, special thanks to KVFR for always being there over the years for all the lift-assists when Forrey found himself in a bind and needed some extra hands to help.

Forrey’s funeral service will at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 in the Evenson Memorial Chapel at Johnston & Williams in Ellensburg. Viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1 also at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the IOOF Cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com