Forrest K. Werner
June 24, 1992 - March 10, 2015
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Forrest K. Werner
June 24, 1992 - March 10, 2015
Obituary
Forrest Kingsbury Werner IV
Forrest Kingsbury Werner IV was born June 24, 1992, and died on March 10, 2015. Born and raised in San Juan Capistrano, Forrest heard the call of the nearby ocean at an early age. His love of the water became a theme in his life. Whether he was boating, surfing or competing in high school water polo or swimming, he was at peace around the water. When it came time to think of college and a major, he headed to Sonoma State University to earn a degree in Environmental Studies with an Emphasis in Water Quality.
Forrest was a dedicated Orange County Life Guard, progressing from being a Junior Life Guard to a supervisor of the OCJG program. He was named Junior Life Guard Instructor of the Year in 2014. He graduated from Capistrano Valley High School in 2010, where he was co-captain of the water polo team. During that time he traveled with the team to Hungary and Hawaii. Forrest graduated from Sonoma State University, summa cum laude, in 2014, where he was an active triathlete and served as president of the Triathlon Club.
He was a dedicated reader and particularly enjoyed fantasy fiction. One of the highlights of his past summer was attending Comic-Con in San Diego.
A consummate athlete, Forrest earned a Second Degree Black Belt in Karate, and has always been dedicated to physical fitness. He was strong and often quiet, a deep thinker, a hard worker and talented in more ways than he would ever admit.
Forrest is survived by his father Forrest Werner III, mother Tracy Vranicar Werner, sisters Whitney and Haley, and brother Hayden. He is also survived by his grandparents, Forrest Jr. and Jane Werner, and Pat and Frank Vranicar, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins – all of whom love him dearly.
A paddle out in Forrest’s honor will take place Sunday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Strands Beach in Dana Point. Meet at the north end of the beach.
A funeral Mass will take place on Monday, March 16, at 11:00 a.m. at Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. A reception will follow at El Adobe Restaurant, 31891 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA.
Donations in honor of Forrest may be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Orange County (NAMI) at http://www.namioc.org/memorials (Forrest’s memorial page will be set up soon) or to a scholarship fund that has been established for the Orange County Junior Lifeguard program.
40 responses to Forrest K. Werner
d'leon family says:
April 5, 2015
Lit a candle in memory of Forrest K. Werner
Tibackx says:
April 6, 2015
Our sincere condolence on the loss of Forrest
May you find the strength to get trough these difficult times
Big Hug from Andrew and Diane Tibackx
Kenna Knollenberg says:
April 9, 2015
My name is Kenna and Forrest was my junior lifeguards Instructor for two years. I looked up to him greatly, in and out of the water. I am honored to have gotten to know such an amazing person. I always admired his ability to put a smile on the face of anyone he met. I wrote a poem about Forrest for my 9th grade english class, and I simply wanted to share it with everyone who knew and loved Forrest, as I did. Always know he is looking down on us and he will forever have an eye on the ocean. My deepest condolences to the Werner family, as I am truly so sorry for your loss. I will continue to keep your family in my thoughts and prayers. Rest in peace Forrest.
March 10th, 2015: An Eternity Too Soon
Today we lost an angel,
And Heaven gained one.
A man who took his own life,
Yet saved many day by day.
Strangers, linked hand in hand,
Filling the ocean with their tears;
Hundreds of surfers circled –
Joined by a love for the lost,
Floating together in the same ocean
Water that coursed through his veins,
Ebbed and flowed with the beating
Of his heart.
And the stories they told –
The ones only friends would understand.
I wish you would have thought about…
I wish you would have reached out to…
Me,
Forrest.
cathey ryder says:
April 11, 2015
What a wonderful tribute to my nephew! Thank you
Cathey Ryder says:
September 30, 2015
Oh Forrest, I bet you had a great reunion with Grandpa on Saturday. He talked often in the last few weeks about seeing you. We miss both of you so much, but are so glad you are together.
Love always,
Aunt Cathey