Forrest Franklin Arbaugh
Forrest Franklin Arbaugh, 90, of Lucasville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
Born on October 7, 1934, in Quincy, Kentucky, a son of the late Lemuel C. and Grace A. Hesson Arbaugh. Forrest, affectionately known as “Frosty” to friends and family, attended First Christian Church in Portsmouth. At the age of 10, he moved to Allentown, Ohio, and graduated from Wheelersburg High School in 1952, remaining active with his classmates through their 60th reunion. In 1950, he was baptized in Pine Creek and a member of the Church of Christ in Allentown.
Forrest’s professional journey began in 1952 at the A&P Store, followed by roles at Glenn’s Office Machines and HK Ferguson Construction, where he contributed to the construction of the A-Plant. He dedicated 25 years to Sears Roebuck & Co., serving as Home Improvement Manager and playing a pivotal role in opening the Chillicothe, Ohio, store. In 1980, he embarked on a new venture by purchasing E.A. Cox, Inc., a precast concrete company. He constructed the current plant in Lucasville and operated the business alongside his sons for 40 years.
A proud U.S. Army veteran, Forrest was drafted and served from 1957 to 1959, stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His passions included aviation—flying one of the first ultralights in Scioto County—and antique car restoration, notably his cherished 1937 Chevy Business Coup. He was a member of the Chevrolet Antique Car Club and a founding member of the Portsmouth Antique Car Club. Forrest’s ingenuity and analytical mind led him to build his first house at 19 and four more thereafter. He often reflected, “I lived in the best of times,” and felt blessed by loyal friends and employees throughout his life.
Forrest was a 70-year member of United Commercial Travelers (UCT), a 60-year member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and honored as a Kentucky Colonel.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter; four brothers, Charles Moore Sr., William Moore, Ralph Moore, and Howard Arbaugh; and a sister, Evelyn (Arbaugh) Stout.
Forrest is survived by his daughter, Deanna Dawn (Dan) Arbaugh McNeil of Taiwan; sons, Byron Joseph Arbaugh and Darrell Forrest Arbaugh, both of Lucasville, Ohio; grandchildren, Darrell (Sarah) Arbaugh of Georgetown, Kentucky, Cameron (Mary) Arbaugh of Lucasville, Ohio, Jordan (Levi) Arbaugh Horsley of South Bloomfield, Ohio, Ethan Arbaugh (fiancée Kristin Wilkinson) of South Bloomfield, Ohio, Sarah (Mark) Titcomb of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Erin McNeil of Williamsburg, Virginia; a brother, Donald (Sally) Arbaugh of Goshen, Indiana; great-grandchildren, Coleton, Hailey, Bexleigh, Bryce, Madison, and Connor; as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his loving partner of 25 years, Sarah (Patton) Veazey, and extended family, including Sarah’s mother, Leota Patton, and partner Ernie Bingham; Sarah’s son, Michael (Keri) Veazey; and grandchildren, Abigail, Sophia, and Bentlee.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2025 at the McKinley Funeral Home in Lucasville, with Tom Rayburn officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Burial Park, where military graveside services will be conducted by the William Baker and James Irwin Posts, American Legion. Friends may call from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 1, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to SOMC Hospice, 2201 25th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662, in Forrest’s memory.
