Francis Forson

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Francis John “Sonny” Forson
September 15, 1949 - June 25, 2022

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Sonny Forson, 72, long-time Hallsburg resident, died tragically early Saturday morning, June 25 due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous day despite his valiant effort, his will to live, and the heroic work of the BSW-Hillcrest Trauma Team. His devoted family was by his side. Service is scheduled for Friday, July 1, at 2:00 p.m. at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard in Waco.

Sonny was born September 15, 1949 in San Antonio to John Wendell Forson and Mia (Farber) Forson at Brooke General Hospital. His family spent several of his childhood years living abroad while his father was enlisted in the U.S. Army. Returning stateside, the family settled in Robinson. He participated in baseball and football, was involved in building a home, and in the installation of the original Robinson Rocket that stands in front of what is now the Robinson Intermediate School. He graduated from Robinson High School in 1968.

While attending high school, Sonny’s first job was as a lifeguard at the Robinson Lion’s Pool. Throughout his life he was a much-valued employee and team member at several Waco-area companies, excelling in various positions. Among others, he was a truck driver for Central Texas Iron Works (CTIW), machinist at Hercules during the First Gulf War, equipment operator at Paragon, and was a production technician at Alcoa/Huck International until his retirement in 2019.

Following a whirlwind six-week courtship, Sonny committed himself to his new family (wife Jo Carol [Smith], sons Trace and David, and daughter Jan) during an emotional wedding ceremony at Chapel of the Fountain at Circus Circus in Las Vegas on Christmas Eve 1977. Their lives together began with a road trip home to Texas through cold, wet weather in his mother-in-law’s 1969 Buick Wildcat with a broken heater, four adult passengers, three kids, a dog, and several boxes of tissues to wipe the windshield dry by whoever was riding in the seat beside the driver. It was a bonding experience for them all and the first indication that he could tolerate anything for his new family.

For several years, Sonny played softball for Walker’s Grocery, and the Budweiser Rebels as catcher. He felt it was his solemn duty to defend home plate by acting as a brick wall the runner had to go through in order to score. Sonny was also an avid golfer and loved shooting a round with his sons or his grandsons. He especially enjoyed his weekly games with Dennis Ayers, Rick Lebkowsky, Mike Shane, Mike Adams, and Jim Brown.

He was a huge fan of the Texas Longhorn football team, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Rangers and went to each of their games every chance he got. He and Jo Carol attended many Ranger games and watched the rest on television, rarely missing even one, cheering them on, win or lose. His loyalty to the Cowboys was not quite as unconditional but a winning Cowboy team certainly made for a happy Sonny.

In order to provide his new family their forever home, in 1977 Sonny found it necessary to liquidate some assets, namely his truck and Harley-Davidson (and eventually his silver Corvette Stingray) for reasons of practicality. In 1995, he was finally able to get at least one of those sacrifices replaced: he bought a brand new Harley and had one the rest of his life. He and Jo Carol rode mile after mile after mile on trips to Arizona and Sturgis, and countless day trips around the state — he loved every minute of it. Bobby and Roxy Lumpkin were right there with them for many of those trips, providing companionship, support, and much, much laughter.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, dearly beloved father, John Forson and mother, Mia Forson, and his in-laws, JC and Frances Smith, both of whom loved him as their very own.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jo Carol; their children, Trace Magill and wife Laurin of Kyle, Jan Kelley and husband Joe of Moody, David Forson and wife Missy of China Spring; grandchildren, Krista Halfmann and husband Kevin, Kourtney Scott and husband Colby, Lexi Forson and fiancé Matt Weiner, Alli Davilla and husband Marcus, and Seth “Digger” Wright; step-grandchildren Dalton Kelley, Tanner Kelley and fiancé Samantha Charles, Kamber Kelley, Ricky Thompson, Crystal Faulstich Brough, and Travis Faulstich; great-grandchildren, Brady, Lila, Aizley, Graylon, Hays, Lennon, and another expected in September; brother Bobby Lumpkin and wife Roxy, special cousin Evelyn Elliott, along with innumerable friends, new and old, near and far.

Honorary pallbearers are golf buddies Dennis Ayers, Rick Lebkowsky, Mike Shane, Mike Adams, and Jim Brown, as well as the Large Cell at Alcoa/Huck International who will certainly miss his unique waving style.

The family would like to extend an extra very special thank you to Lisa Hagood (Daughter #2) for giving so much of herself to help ease some of their pain and trauma from this profound loss.

Robert Allen always knows exactly what to say. Thank you for having the words.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts in the form of money, time, or blood donations be made to the American Red Cross or your local blood center.

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Following the service at Oak Crest, mourners are encouraged to join the family for more fellowship, remembrance, and celebration of the life of a truly remarkable man at the home of Joe and Jan Kelley in Moody.