Kendal Ray Forman

On Dec. 31, 2010, Kendal Ray Forman, surrounded by his loving family, passed away at the family farm due to complications resulting from the stroke he suffered in March 2008. He happily left his tired, crippled, pain-ridden body to rejoin Elaine and The Boys in heaven: now free to ride his horse, Little Buck, across the green fields of heaven, his youth and vitality once more restored. The saga of Kendal's life began July 11, 1939, in Polson. He was the third of five children. He spent the days of his youth cavorting on the Forman Farm in Valley View with his siblings and Forman cousins, experiencing the country life of an era gone by. Whether riding his draft horse across the hay fields, attending community dances at the Valley View Club House by sleigh, where all would dance until the children would get sleepy and burrow in blankets and sleep until the adults would be ready to go home, or watching the big wheat threshers come to the farm, he was a country boy through and through. He received his early education at the Valley View School, which he attended through fifth grade. He loved to retell the story of the male students dipping the girls' long braids in the ink wells as they sat at their desks. Kendal's ties to the Valley View area ran deep. He took great pride in the long history of Formans in the valley and the Forman Road named after the family. The river and hills were his backyard. He and his brother Charlie spent countless hours riding horses and bird hunting amid the place so dear to his heart. In sixth grade, Kendal made the transition to Polson to finish his education. He was an active member of 4-H and raised many a grand-champion steer. He was a member of FFA and was also a Boys State delegate. He was a force to be reckoned with on the Polson football team. When he was a freshman, he began dating Elaine Dubay, who was in eighth grade. High school sweethearts, Elaine elegantly beautiful and Kendal charmingly handsome, they made a fairytale couple. On June 30, 1961, they were married at the First Presbyterian Church in Polson. Together, they carved out a union that spanned almost 50 years. Their love and devotion to each other and family created a haven for their children and all who entered their home. No tribute could adequately or succinctly sum up all the children who have been blessed with growing up in the midst of their love. Kendal graduated from Polson High School in 1957. Upon graduation, he joined the Army Reserve. After attending boot camp, he was stationed at Camp Irwin in the Mojave Desert. When he was finished with the Reserves, he studied auto body mechanics at a trade school in Fargo, N.D. When he was finished with school, he returned home and worked at the Chevy garage in Polson for a time. Kendal and Elaine moved to the family farm in Mountain View in 1962. To support his fledgling farm, he worked at Plum Creek during the evenings and then got up early to do his extensive farm work. Eventually he was able to focus entirely on the farm, raising certified seed potatoes. He also raised cattle. He was one of the first in the valley to have Charolais, later diversifying to registered Simmental. The farm and his flock of various breeds of turkeys, ducks and geese filled his spirit and along with his family completed him. Kendal's love for his family and all children who entered his home was premier. From the age of 22 until his death, his devotion and caring for his family and extended loved ones were unsurpassed. He was the cornerstone of the family, representing strength, security, love and wisdom for all. Not only was he the father of his own seven children, but to countless others, including cousins and many of his children's friends. He was born to be a father: it defined and completed him. In addition to the farm and family that held his heart, so, too, did Spotted Bear. Each year, the family would make the trek up the bumpy road, 50 miles above Hungry Horse Dam to spend a magical week camping and whitefishing in the school bus that he had renovated to accommodate his large family and extras who came along. Kendal remained grace under fire despite the multiple challenges and tragedies that plagued him. Beginning at the young age of 7, Kendal suffered the devastating loss of his brother 'Little Ivan,' who was dragged to death by a horse. As a junior in high school, he sadly lost his mother to breast cancer. In 1970, while doing electrical work on the farm, he accidentally was electrocuted, receiving 7,200 watts of electricity coursing through his body. In the ensuing years, multiple health problems challenged him, creating chronic pain as a result of the electrocution. In 1996 and again in 1998, Kendal lost both of his sons, leaving a wound that would never heal. Valiantly going forward despite his heartache, he was again pummeled with yet another tragedy when he lost Elaine in March 2003, five months after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In March 2008, he suffered a major stroke that left him paralyzed on his right side and with very limited ability to speak. Gracefully and with great dignity, he bore these tragedies, never failing to be loving and gracious to all who knew him. Kendal's essence was one of quiet elegance ' even with the devastating effects of his stroke, his gentle sweetness of character resonated. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elaine: sons, Kevin and Ferin: parents, Ivan and Vashti Forman: stepmother, Luella Forman: brother, Ivan: parents-in-law, Marion and Abe Dubay: and nephew, Damon Johnson. He is survived by his daughters, Jenaya Forman-Webster (Gregg), Sheri McIntyre (Van), Sheryl Kantola (Chris), Maurita Forman (Richard) and Michaela Hatch (Marck): loving companion, Donna Rose: daughters and sons of the heart, Tia Hawkins, Lisa and Shirley Vollin, and Darryl Vollin and Tim Fromm: sisters, LaDene Reid and Karen Hritz: brother, Charlie Forman: grandchildren and grandchildren of the heart, Briala, Mirakai, Patience, Afton, Jeremy, Alicia, Kabe, Kaiden, Little Kendal, Jelaysia, Kyra, Daisha, Abe, Austin, Joshua, Cassie, Jana, Lyric, Mitchy and Dustin: sisters-in-law, Carol Dubay, Kay Dubay and Rene Dubay: and nieces and nephews, Mark, Tim, Nikos, Melina, Andrea, Nicolette, Zara, Wanda, Laura, Diane and Gloria. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 5, at Grogan Funeral Home, where viewing will take place 1-7 p.m. Tuesday. A potluck reception will follow the service at the Valley View Club House. Please bring a dish of your choice and stories to share. An FFA scholarship for the Polson High School chapter is being set up in Dad's name. Honorary pallbearers are Archie Forman, Tim Fromm, Kurt Haskins, Greg Webster, Delbert Hawkins, Craig Stevens and Jim Blixt. Dad, your presence in our lives and on the farm will be forever missed. We love you. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com. The staff of Grogan Funeral Home, Polson, considers it a privilege to care for Mr. Forman and his family.
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