Henry Lee Forrest Jr.

Henry Lee Forrest Jr., 93, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2026, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on July 29, 1932, in Albemarle, North Carolina.

Henry graduated from Catawba College in 1954 and went on to dedicate 41 years of service to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities (now Charlotte Water). During his distinguished career, he served as Chief of Operations and Division Manager before retiring as Assistant Director. He took great pride in his work and was known for his dedication, reliability, and deep knowledge of both his profession and the community he served.

Henry lived a life rooted in faith, family, service, and joy. He was a devoted member of Calvary United Methodist Church and cherished his family above all else. He will be remembered for his fun-loving spirit, wonderful sense of humor, generosity, love of music, and steadfast devotion to those he loved. Henry also enjoyed cheering on the Tar Heels in both baseball and basketball, as well as his hometown Charlotte Hornets and Carolina Panthers.

Henry is survived by his beloved wife of 75 years, Lauretta Forrest; his daughters, Ellen Fisher of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Jan Bruchon of Clover, South Carolina; and his sons-in-law, Carl Fisher Jr. of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and Peter Bruchon of Clover, South Carolina.

Known affectionately as "Pop", Henry is also survived by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Taylor Fisher of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, his wife, Laurie Fisher, and their daughters, Hadley and Brooklyn; Andy Fisher of Charlotte, North Carolina, his wife, Jennifer Fisher, and their son, with another child expected soon; Betsy Fisher Maronich of Charlotte, North Carolina, her husband, Andrew Maronich, their son, Cameron Maronich, and a daughter expected soon; and Amy Bruchon Lincoln of Piedmont, South Carolina, and her husband, Brian Lincoln.

He is also survived by his brother, Bill Forrest of Virginia, and Bill's wife, Ginny.

Henry was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Forrest of Concord, North Carolina; his beloved aunt and uncle, J.B. and Sarah Hough of Concord, North Carolina; and his great-granddaughter, Mackenzie Grace Fisher.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, at Hankins & Whittington Funeral Home, 1111 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte https://www.viagiving.org/donating or to the Henry Forrest Scholarship Fund online https://give.charlotte.edu/ascendportal/s/give?dsgt=FD-H10172 or by check to UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Blvd, Charlotte NC, 28223. Please include “Henry Forrest Scholarship” in memo line.

Henry's legacy will live on in the family he cherished, the friends he inspired, and the community he faithfully served. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.