The Honorable Forrest Finch Boone

The Honorable Forrest Finch Boone passed away on January 13th in Tallahassee. He lived life to the fullest with an unquenchable intellectual and spiritual curiosity, a passionate drive to share the gospel of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and a unique ability to connect with people in all types of settings and circumstances. His life’s mission was to worship and glorify God, who called him to minister to people, meeting them where they were. Born in Miami, Forrest was educated at Miami Country Day School, Coral Gables High and The Hill School in Pottstown, PA. He graduated from Florida State University (FSU), where he met the love of his life, Barbara Stone Boone. They married in 1975, and they made their home in Neptune Beach. Together, they had three boys: Michael Richard, Forrest David, and Matthew Winchester, who were Forrest’s greatest joy. He delighted in showing his sons adventure, creating a lifetime of memories. While at FSU, Forrest majored in criminology and religion and served as Youth Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Neptune Beach, commuting each weekend. After college, he worked for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as a correctional officer specializing in crisis intervention. Friends encouraged Forrest to run for the Jacksonville City Council to represent the Beaches. He served from 1979 to 1987 and was proud to implement policies encouraging smart growth and secure funding for his district, including building the new Beaches Public Library. Rather than seeking a third term or higher office, he chose to concentrate on raising a family and making a direct impact on his community. In 1999, the family moved to Tallahassee for a career opportunity. Forrest’s career led him to mortgage banking, real estate development, and establishing a nonprofit housing foundation that combined state, federal, and local programs to enable home ownership for hundreds of working families across the southeast. An experienced traditional bowhunter and bird hunter, Forrest enjoyed hunting on public land and teaching hunter safety as a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission volunteer instructor. He was a rodeo cowboy and part-time rancher in Suwannee County; led backpacking trips and loved to cook. He was a bible study leader and served on the vestry at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral. An inveterate storyteller, he wrote and published short stories in Florida Country Magazine and lent his hard-earned wisdom to the opinion page of the Tallahassee Democrat. He loved to create community and lived out a favorite quote, John 10:10b. He is survived by his wife Barbara; sons, Forrest David (Rachel) and Matthew Winchester (Shannon); brother, Berkeley Eugene Boone (Nancy); sisters-in-law, Patricia Driscoll (Jack) and Virgina Horton (Bill); brothers-in-law, Malcolm Stone and Philip Stone; many nieces and nephews; and countless people he mentored and discipled. He is preceded in death by his parents, Forrest Berkeley Boone and Elizabeth Finch Boone, and his eldest son Michael Richard. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral (4784 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, FL 32309) on Saturday, January 25th, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Forrest’s memory to The Charles Simeon Institute at St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral. Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Boone family with their arrangements.

Tributes

The Honorable Forrest Finch Boone

March 29, 1952 - January 13, 2025