Services for Forrest Gompf will be held at First Baptist Church of Westcliffe, Colorado, on Saturday, November 7, 2020, at 12:30 p.m.
A SHEEPDOG BARKS Memorial to a Great American Patriot: Almost everyone in America “knows” Forrest Gump. He was the lovable character brought to life by Tom Hanks. Custer County, however, had the real deal. Not everyone had the privilege and honor to know the real-life Forrest Gompf. He was the County’s oldest living World War II Veteran but Forrest went Home to the Lord last Sunday. He was 95 and among the last living Americans that “saved the world.” They are almost all gone now. I want to tell you a little bit about him for those not fortunate enough to know him.
Forrest was one of my best friends. He was twenty years older but that didn’t matter. We were kindred spirits. He was a tall, lanky man with a kind heart and a gentle spirit. He was so thin you might not see him if he turned sideways but he sure could put the groceries away. Pie was his choice of dessert. To know Forrest was to love him. I know that sounds cliché but it was true. I loved him dearly. He was smart, friendly, loyal, caring, responsible and fiercely independent.
Shortly after Monte and I moved to Custer County in 1995 we were driving around exploring this beautiful place when a mailbox stopped us dead in our tracks. The name on it said FORREST GOMPF. I knew right then I needed to meet that guy. I first met his brother Chet. Chet was much like Forrest, a wonderful man who had also served in World War II and loved America. He introduced me to Forrest and a great friendship grew. In 2011, I asked Forrest if I could “interview” him about his childhood, his military service and his “pre-Custer County” life. He agreed. Hopefully you will find some of this new and interesting. It’s an honor to help tell his story.
FORREST IRWIN GOMPF was born on July 17, 1925, in Enid, Oklahoma, to German immigrants. Chet was his older brother (by two years) and they were lifelong friends. He had three other siblings, two brothers and a sister. He had several nicknames, Fig, Andy (after a character in the old comic strip The Gumps, believe it or not), and Forry, but brother Chet called him Bud. They lived a tough life on a corn and wheat farm during the Great Depression. They lived the Grapes of Wrath. He and Chet shared a horse (Bolly) to get around. They rode bareback because he told me they could never afford a saddle. No electricity, no inside plumbing. Worked other farms to help out the family. The first car he ever drove was a jeep in the U. S. Army. After the war he bought his first car, a 1936 Chevy. He joined the Army Air Force, wanting to be a pilot. That didn’t work out. The Army made him a radio operator. He got out of the service right after the war in 1946, went back to Enid where he owned and operated a garage with brother Chet. He left there in 1953, got married (they later divorced, no children), worked all around the country, drove a long haul truck and finally ended up in San Diego working for the University of California.
Forrest was very proud that he was “born again” during his time in San Diego and that he rose to the Superintendent of Sunday Schools in a “big” church. He retired in 1994 and moved to Custer County to reunite with Chet. He and Chet installed solar for a while then he retired again. Many of you probably met Forrest when he and Shelley Shelly owned and operated the Stage Stop beginning in 2011. Around 2017 he lost his driving privileges and thus his freedom of movement. He didn’t like being dependent on others and this caused him a lot of sadness.
The info above is a much abbreviated account of his life. I’m sure you can learn more at his Memorial Service which I believe will happen in early November at the First Baptist Church. If you are interested you better get there early for a seat. He was a much loved and popular old man.
Forrest was a true Sheepdog. He just had a gentle bite and a soft bark. He was a faithful member of the Southern Colorado Patriots Club and was a major donor to help start the Sangre de Cristo Sentinel. He was a proud conservative. Although his body started to become frail, his mind never diminished. Forrest was “sharp as a tack” and he was thoroughly up on all the current events. He loved the Lord and he loved his country. We are all grateful for his life, his service and his friendship. Forrest was a great American and Patriot, a proud veteran and an all-around “good ole boy” from Oklahoma. We will miss him dearly.
Here’s to you, Forrest. You enriched us all. Rest in Peace my friend. You deserve it. I sadly and happily end with rendering him a huge Sheepdog Salute. 21 WOOFS!
May God Have Mercy on America! JMH (aka Mike Hess)
From the official obituary:
A Service for Forrest Gompf will be held Saturday, November 7th, at 12:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Westcliffe Colorado.
The service will open with a ceremony embedded in tradition, by the American Legion Post 170, a ceremony fitting for one of Westcliffe’s quiet, yet tremendous, benefactors. The service will begin with a 3-volley rifle salute, taps and, the official, folding and presentation of the United States Flag.
Services will then move inside for the, Eulogy to be delivered by Pastor Mike Shields, Sr. and others.
Burial will take place at a later date, close to his brother, Chet Gompf at the Ula Cemetery, located in Custer County, CO.
Forrest is survived by brothers, Richard (Mikie) Gompf, and Frank (Thelma) Gompf, and his longtime companion Shelley Shelley.
Please plan to attend and extend your respect to a proud American, honored to serve the United States so that others, to this day, are able to be free.
Your attendance to pay your respects to Forrest Gompf, a long-term resident of this incredible Valley, will be greatly appreciated. We will come together, praying for God’s peace and protection during this time of Covid awareness. Please wear a mask.