David Lee Forinash, 66, of Elizabethton, died Sunday, December 29, 2019, at the MUSC Hospital, Charleston, S.C., following a lengthy illness.
He was born July 6, 1953 in Stuttgart, Germany, and was the son of the late Colonel Cecil Lavone Forinash and Mary May Forinash. Growing up, David spent many years in Germany, Washington, D.C., and Colorado Springs, Colo., before moving to Knoxville where David attended and graduated from Bearden High School. After high school David went on to graduate with a degree in Accounting from the University of Tennessee.
After graduation David moved to Johnson City where he worked as a line supervisor for Texas Instruments. David was promoted several times at Texas Instruments and last held the position of financial analyst. After his tenure at Texas Instruments he worked at Harris Tarkett with the position of Vice-President of Finance. He left holding the position of Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer of Tarkett. Following his career at Tarkett he started a financial consulting business. He then began working for Mullican Flooring, overseeing the construction and opening of the new factory in Watauga. David retired from Mullican, due to health issues. David Forinash loved his work in all of the places he worked during his career.
David was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Elizabethton where he served on the Administrative Council and served as Finance Chairman. He was a founding and charter member of the Elizabethton ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Club. He had served on the board of directors of the Elizabethton Boys and Girls Club.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Jean Ann Leonard Forinash; two daughters, Mary (Keith) Ayotte of New Hampshire and Geri (Matthew) Mahaley of Johnson City; two sons, Timmy (Heather) Forinash of Elizabethton and Jason Forinash and his fiancée Taylor Byrd of Elizabethton; one sister, Patti (Walter) Trent Forinash of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and seven grandchildren, Jacob Mahaley, Ann Marie Mahaley, Hailey Ayotte, Sophia Mahaley, Lana Ayotte, Bentley Forinash and Easton Forinash. Other survivors include his mother-in-law, Jean Leonard of Bristol, Va.; his sisters-in-law, Bonnie (Roger) Snodgrass, Cindy (Scott) Rose, Jenny (Rex) Eaton and Melissa (Chris) Jones; one nephew, Derek Trent; two nieces, Kelli and Laura; his cousin, Gil Grant; and his beloved family in Iowa.
David was a wonderful son-in-law to his mother-in-law spending every Thursday with her, helping her with anything he could.
A service to honor the life of David Forinash will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, January 4, at the First United Methodist Church with Rev. Raymond Amos and Rev. Larry Dial officiating. The family will greet friends and share memories prior to the service from 1 until 2:45 p.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church. Music will be under the direction of the Chancel Choir, David Arney, organist, Matthew Mahaley, soloist, and Loretta Bowers, soloist. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Elizabethton ROMEO Club and men of the First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Adult Ministries Fund of First United Methodist Church, 325 East E Street, Elizabethton, TN 3743. Messages of sympathy may be sent through our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Tetrick Funeral Home, 211 North Riverside Drive, Elizabethton, (423) 542-2232, is serving the family of David Lee Forinash.