Forrest Wellington

PAYSON – Forrest Gale Wellington of Payson passed away peacefully at home on May 22 at the age of

85. He was born September 15, 1932, in Oregon, but spent his growing-up years with his parents and 2 brothers (all now deceased) in Lansing, Michigan. After high school he enlisted in the Air Force and served in the medical squadron at Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D. After 4 years of service he attended college at Michigan State University and received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine graduating in 1961. He practiced veterinary medicine in several states before he, his wife and two children moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1972. In 1986 he met his future wife, Bonnie (Jackson) Kurtzeman, and they were married August

9. He retired from veterinary medicine in 1993, Bonnie retired from teaching, and they opened the Wellington Wellness Center in the guest house of their home in Cave Creek, Arizona. In 2000 they moved to Payson and continued their wellness center out of their Payson home until just last year. Forrest loved ballroom dancing and art. He started wood sculpting at a young age. His techniques were self-taught through observance as well as a most subtle sense of humor. He was active for many years in the National and Arizona Woodcarvers Associations and has won many awards and competitions for his wood sculptures. Since moving to Payson he had branched out to painting in oils and acrylics. He was a member of the Payson Art League. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie; daughter, Diane Wellington; son, Lee Wellington; step daughters Tracy Campbell and Jodi Folley; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Please join us for a celebration of his life on Saturday, June 2, at 10:00 A.M. at Messinger Payson Funeral Home, 901 S. Westerly Rd. followed by refreshments and time for socializing and remembering Forrest