Forrest James Hirschi

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WASHINGTON TERRACE a€" Forrest James Hirschi, 92, passed from this life on July 5, 2011, and has probably fired the timekeeper who kept him here longer than he planned. He was born to William and Edith James Hirschi on November 7, 1918, in Ogden, Utah, at the Dee Hospital and was raised in Sugar City, Idaho. In his school years during beet vacation, he worked for local farmers picking potatoes and thinning and topping sugar beets, the hardest work he ever did.

He served an LDS mission from 1939-40 in the Western States Mission. After returning from his mission, he was trained to be a machinist through the NYA (National Defense Training School in Pocatello, Idaho). He was hired to use his skills at Hill AFB. He spent 33 years of civil service, working at both Hill AFB and the Naval Supply Depot.

While working at Hill AFB, Forrest met a beautiful young woman by the name of Hazel Smith, originally from Kansas. They were married on August 27, 1943 and were sealed in 1945 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. Hazel passed away on September 13, 2002. Forrest and Hazel were some of the first occupants in Washington Terrace, first living in the barracks on Victory Road; the barrack house also became their permanent home, where he resided until his passing.

After retirement, his photography hobby turned into a full-time job, which was his favorite career. Many families in the Ogden area were fortunate to have Forrest and Hazel take their family and wedding pictures. Forrest also mastered the art of making porcelain dolls. The last few years he has enjoyed dancing on Saturday nights at the Golden Hours Senior Center, which led to a sweet friendship with his dance partner Wanda Lythgoe.

Forrest is survived by his children and their spouses Larry and Diana Hirschi, West Point; Jerry and Laura Hirschi, Bloomington, Il; Lamar and Joan Hirschi and Beth and Craig Jones, of Washington Terrace. He has 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sisters, Amy Brizzee, Idaho Falls, ID; Eva Harker, Shelley, ID; one brother, Jay (Theda) Hirschi, Centerville; and one sister-in-law, Greta Hirschi, St. George.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Hazel, and his brother, Gene Hirschi.

Special thanks to IHC Hospice and to caring neighbors Dean and Laurie Rackham.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Washington Terrace 5th Ward, 350 West 5100 South.

Friends may visit family at the ward on Thursday, from 6 to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m.

Funeral services entrusted to Lindquist''s Ogden Mortuary.

Interment Lindquist''s Wasatch Memorial Gardens of the Wasatch, 1718 Combe Road.