James "Jim" Conrad Forcher was born in Dinuba, California to Henry John Forcher, MD and Snow Marguerite Conrad on February 2, 1930. He left this world for a better place September 29, 2021, just three years almost to the day after losing his beloved wife Barbara. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, October 1, 2021 at Robinson Cemetery, with Reverend Jacob Brenton providing the services. Bellmead Funeral Home is handling the funeral arrangements.
His childhood days were happy much like most little boys. Jim attended Southwestern Junior College in Keene, Texas. Jim then joined the United States Army where he became a Dental Laboratory Technician in 1953. With his skills and knowledge he owned and operated Palm Dental Laboratory in Pharr, Texas in 1961 until 1970. That same year he then joined the faculty at Texas State Technical Institute (TSTI) and was awarded many accolades with the most prestigious being Dental Laboratory Educator of the Year in 1988. He retired from TSTI in 1992.\
While in college at Southwestern Junior College, Jim met Jean Rodman. They were married August 23, 1951. During their marriage they found themselves living in different areas of the US and spent time in Nebraska before he was drafted into the Army. Jean helped Jim with his dental laboratory as it became a success servicing south Texas. While juggling the business and everyday life they welcomed Joe Pete, Jaime, Janice, and Judi. They enjoyed spending time being involved in their kid's activities and camping. In 1970, the family moved to Waco, Texas so that Jim could teach future laboratory technicians like himself. Tragedy struck his life when Jean died suddenly in December of 1981.
In 1982 Jim's life changed and he found love again with Barbara Buck Ingram. They were married November 12, 1983 and were good for each other. Now Jim was blessed with three additional sons; Jeffrey, Brian, and Michael. Life was good together. The couple travelled around the world to many locations including China, Hong Kong, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Eastern Europe, and many places in the United States. He loved to read, cook, and work in his yard: mowing, edging, planting and trimming. He and Barbara were very active in their church, St. John United Church of Christ and he held many offices for various organizations over the years. Life after Barbara was tough for Jim but he found joy in playing the part of the parking police for Janice, meeting new dining room friends at Country Club Retirement Community in Whitney, Texas, and spreading humor online during his time in lockdown due to Covid-19.
The loving family he leaves behind includes his son, Joe Pete; daughters, Jaime Watkins (Joe), Janice Sanders (Ronnie), and Judi Owen (Shelly); step-sons, Jeffrey Ingram, Brian Ingram, Michael Ingram (Pamela). He was known as "Pepaw" to his grandchildren and often tried to persuade them to call him Grandad" but it didn't stick. His grandchildren that will miss him sorely are; Jacey Fregia (Kevin), his favorite granddaughter Lauren Rice (Travis), Amanda Sayler (Luevena), Logan Ingram, and Sarah Ingram; and great-grandchildren, Allie, Hunter, James, Paul, and John. Jim was preceded in death by his wives, Jean Rodman Forcher and Barbara Buck Ingram Forcher. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to St. John Church of Christ, 100 S. Robinson Drive, Robinson, Texas 76706.