Forrest Lavern Lewis, 79, from Pringle, SD, passed away on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis, SD.

Forrest was born to Kenneth and Vivian Lewis on February 28, 1943.  He was 2nd oldest of 5. He was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Yakalavich. The two of them were blessed with three children, Forrest II, Kent and Holly. The marriage later ended in divorce.

He married the love of his life, Sharon Kay, March 1982, conjoining his three children with her four.  They shared a love and compassion for the Lord and carried out his word everywhere they went, they touched many lives.  The two of them loved time spend together and it mattered not one bit what they were doing.

Forrest was a member of the US Navy. He became a Naval Seal during those years. During his time of active duty, he had been deployed.

Forrest was a man full of faith and wisdom.  He loved taking the time to teach people new skills and the love of God.  He was a do-er, a master of all and he was passionate of everything that he set out to do. He was a craftsman and most enjoyed his time in the fur shed, on the trap line, in the leather or wood shop, but most of all he loved to be active with family.  He had the hand of an artist and made beautiful work of anything that he touched. He had a silly and fun-loving personality and always strove to make people smile and laugh.  He always had some practical joke or trick that he loved to execute perfectly, every time.

Of his many joys, he was a huge influencer of wrestling.  From being greatly successful as a boy and into adolescence, he achieved a great honor of making to the Olympic trials in 1968.  This transitioned into coaching his sons through school and volunteering his time in the Custer wrestling gym.  He soon after was inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame.

He was an active participant and member of numerous Churches across South Dakota.  He had a strong sense for people with good and love in their hearts and knew just how to help it shine, helping all walks of life while demonstrating a caring and kind charisma that you couldn't help but love and trust.  He had a teacher's heart, of which he loved passing down skills and knowledge to his kids, then watching his grandchildren take interest and follow.

He was strong; strong willed, strong minded, and just plain strong.  Never once did he complain about anything.  He fought hard for everything that he cared about and believed in.  Standing down just was not in his nature.

He is survived by his children: Forrest (Rebecca), Kent (Misti), and Holly (Doug); his sister, Alice; brother, Ken; his grandchildren: Damien (Amy), Brock (Lindsey), Jacob, Tate (DeLaney), Tya (Sage), Trace, Thad, and Kort; and his 7 great-granddaughters.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; parents, Kenneth and Vivian; sisters, Mary Jo, and Kathleen.