James Francis Forrester

Virgilina, VA- The Lord called James Francis Forrester, 75 years old, home on Sunday, January 27, 2019 after a brief illness.He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sharon Kinsey-Forrester, daughter Kara Haselton and husband Mark, daughter Erin Belcher and husband Drew, and son Sean Forrester and wife Stacie.Nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren knew him as Pop –Pop. Jim started his banking career in Baltimore, holding senior management positions with Maryland National Bank and Equitable Trust Bank.Sharon’s job took the family to California where Jim as Executive Vice President of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).He opened SVB’s first Southern California Regional Office in Newport Beach as well as managing the Special Industries Group, which started the Bank’s winery lending business.Before leaving SVB, Jim had assumed responsibility for all lending activity in Northern California.Jim next joined Growth Capital Partners (GCP) as Executive Vice President and Board Member.For over ten years, Jim commuted first from California and then from Virginia to Texas.After retiring from GCP and until his death, Jim worked in accounting at Berry Hill Resort. Jim held a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and an MBA in Finance from Loyola College in Baltimore.He served on the faculty of Loyola College from 1978-1982 as an associate professor of corporate finance. A collegiate swimmer at Vanderbilt, Jim broke many school and state records.As an adult, Jim swam with Masters swim teams, and while in California, loved to swim laps in the Pacific Ocean. Jim loved to travel and he and Sharon traveled the world together.As a family, white water rafting was a favorite activity.He and daughter Kara rafted the Colorado River together in 2002.In 2003, Jim and Sharon celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows on a Disney Cruise with 15 children and grandchildren in attendance. An active member of Hitesburg Baptist Church since moving to Virgilina in 2008, Jim served on the Stewardship and Finance committee as well as participating in the Brotherhood.Known for his Cajun cooking, memories of his Jambalaya and Shrimp and Grits will live on. Jim was a devoted father and husband, and as loyal a friend as a person could have.A gentle man of few words, Jim will be sorely missed from coast to coast. A Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, February 9th at 2 pm at Hitesburg Baptist Church, 2215 Hitesburg Church Road in Virgilina.A “meet and greet” will be held at the church from 1 – 2 pm for anyone wanting to visit with the family or each other. Watkins, Cooper & Lyon is handling arrangements.Please send cards and flowers to the funeral home.Anyone wishing to make a donation in Jim’s name, please donate bibles in Jim’s name through the Gideon Society P.O. Box 934 Clarksville, VA.23927.