Forrest Newberry

Forrest Thomas Newberry, age 48, left our world Tuesday afternoon, October 24, 2017 at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio from complications stemming from a diagnosis of lung cancer. He fought a brave battle for several months with much support from his mother, Judy and sisters, Lynda and Dianna. Every step was taken but unfortunately time was not on his side. He was able to spend the last month of his life in the loving care of his wife, Diane and her mother, Nancy.

He was born in Columbus, Ohio at Riverside Hospital to the loving parents, Judith E. (Burns) Walls and Thomas E. Newberry Jr.. He has three caring, thoughtful sisters, Lynda K. Cramer, Dianna E.Grunkemeyer and Regina S. Spain. Deeply missed by his absence by his entire family, missing his sarcastic sense of humor and his caring nature. Many fond memories of a childhood well enjoyed with his sisters and neighborhood buddies and many adventures as a teenager with a wonderful group of faithful friends.

He was a student of Columbus Public Schools and Worthington Public Schools.  A student at Salem Elementary, Dominion Junior High, Whetstone High and Thomas Worthington High.  He enjoyed growing up in Salem Village on the Northside of Columbus with many lifelong friends.  Remembered fondly by many of his friends from Worthington, Forrest touch so many lives that there are too many names of friends that he cared very deeply about to name them all.

Deep sorrow will be felt by his soul mate, Diane J.(Smith)Newberry and his only daughter, that is the world to them both, Rhiannon K. Newberry.  Forrest and Diane were married September 2, 2001 in a lovely backyard wedding filled with bubbles and the music of Vivaldi. They made twenty-three years of beautiful memories of love and laughter and enjoyed every minute of raising a smart, kind and strong daughter.  No longer being able to enjoy the presence of a doting father, Rhiannon will remember her father as a man who would rope the moon for her.

He will be greatly missed by his mother in law and her husband, Nancy C. White and Mike L. White, his father in law and his wife, Michael E. Smith and Pam Smith and his brothers in law, Matthew E. Smith and Steven S. Smith and the rest of his extended family.

He was an art student at The Ohio State University and was a brilliant guitarist, amazing artist and avid chess player. His main occupation was being a carpenter. He was very talented man who could create a project from start to finish, disappointed that he would never get to build the house that we always dream of.  Forrest and his brother in law, Mike Cramer operated their own construction company. In his later life, he helped run the home based preschool with his wife, Diane. The children will be deeply saddened by the passing of Mr.Berry.

Forrest lived most of his life in Columbus, Ohio. As a child and young teenager, he was a resident of Salem Village on the Northside of Columbus and moved to Worthington, Ohio in his later teen years. He spent a year living in Raleigh, North Carolina in his early twenties.  Returning to Columbus, Ohio in the early 1990's and serendipitously meeting his future wife and love of his life, Diane. He spent the reminder of his life as a resident of Clintonville, Linden and Sharon Heights.

He was a great lover of art of many kinds and talented in his own right. Always a guitar in his hands or great, wonderful works of art with pen and pencil, Forrest was an amazing, creative force. He had a keen interest in chess. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Ohio State Buckeyes and enjoyed many different sports.  He had a great time at many different music festivals and was a volunteer once and awhile. He was quite interested in online games, such as Lord of the Rings and other such games. He enjoyed canoeing, cookouts and camping. Was a man of deep intelligence and regularly read scientific articles and relish doing mind games to expand his mind. Took pleasure in nature and help regularly with the family garden. He was always interested in projects around the house up to the last months of his life.

His greatest achievement was raising a beautiful daughter. He was a shining example of what a father should be and was immensely proud of Rhiannon going to college. He was proud of being the caring son, brother, husband, father and friend. His shining light touch many lives. He was deeply proud of being accepted to The Ohio State University, College of Art. And was pleased by his part in creating and managing the home based preschool with his wife, Diane.

His main disappointments are that he will not be here to see his daughter graduated from college, walk her down the aisle or see his grandchildren being born. He would be saddened that he won't be around to joke with his family and friends anymore and celebrating with them also.

He was a beautiful mind, a beautiful person and a beautiful soul. He had hair the color of a summer day, the most deep, thoughtful hazel eyes and a smile that would melt your heart.

Survived by wife, Diane J. Newberry(Columbus, Ohio); daughter, Rhiannon K. Newberry(Columbus, Ohio); mother, Judith E. Walls(Worthington, Ohio); father, Thomas E. Newberry Jr(Delaware, Ohio).; step-grandmother, Thelma Burns; sisters; Lynda K. Cramer( Columbus, Ohio), Dianna E. Grunkemeyer (Westerville, Ohio) and Regina S. Spain(Marysville, Michigan). Nephews; Wesley Spain (Marysville, Ohio) and Xavier (Quinn) Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio) and grandnephew; Braylen Cramer (Columbus, Ohio). Nieces; Sarah Cramer (Columbus, Ohio), Marisa Spain (Marysville, Michigan), Lauren Smith (Fort Myers, Florida) and Emily Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio).Aunt, Carol Ann Linn (Shelby, Ohio); step uncles, Tim Burns, Bill Burns. Many dear cousins, in laws and friends; too many to name.

Predeceased by Grandfathers who greatly influenced him, Grandfather Newberry and Grandpa Burns.  Also, deeply loved by his Grandma Newberry and Grandma Stancel. And his pets; his dog, Brandy and the family cats, Fordo, Jack and Boots.

The visitation and memorial service will be on Sunday, October 29, 2017 at 1:00p.m. at Shaw-Davis Funeral Home at 4341 North High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43214.  Forrest requested cremation and a memorial service officiated by his loving wife, Diane. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and followed by a memorial service from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.  There will be a reception at Forrest's sister, Lynda Cramer's house at 4772 Dechant Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229 following the memorial service. Shaw-Davis Funeral Home has respectfully and kindly help this family prepare arrangements for Forrest.  For more information call 614-262-2600.

Several memorial funds are established in Forrest's name, if you wish to donate, you can contribute at Save the Forrest fundraiser at youcaring.com, savetheForrest fundrasier on Facebook or the memorial fundraiser Celebrate Forrest t-shirt at Custom Ink.  Also, there will be a benefit fundraiser on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 12 p.m. at N8 Glass Music & Art Studio at 4608 Indianola Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43214, building in the back.

Thank you to all the family and friends who have supported Forrest in his battle with cancer and the continued love and care for his family and loved ones. If Forrest would tell his family andfriends anything, it would be to live your life as real as possible and be true to yourself. Live each day to its fullest and always care about your follow human. Love is Real, Not Fade Away.