5A Obituary Assignment; Tommy Forrester

Tommy Forrester [age of death] of Bristol, Tennessee

passed away peacefully on [date of death] at [time of
death]

A celebration of Coach Forrester’s life will be held at

[time and location]. Visitation hours will be held from
[time and location].

In an interview with the Bristol Herald Courier,

Forrester once said, “I think not very many people get to
coach at their high school and then get to coach again at
their college.”

Forrester was born on May 30, 1981 in Bluff City, Tennessee to his parents Mickey and [mothers
name] Forrester.

In 2000, he graduated from Sullivan East High School and later graduated from Emory & Henry
College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics in 2004. Forrester was a
four-year letter winner as an infielder for the Wasps’ baseball team and was awarded the team’s
most valuable player his senior season.

After graduating from E&H and getting his first head coaching job with the Sullivan East
Patriots, he discovered a passion for softball and and shared that with others.

Sullivan East athletic director John Dyer, who coached Forrester in high school said, “Tommy
was a great coach, great teacher and just a great person for the whole community. His love for
the game stood out to not only me, but the parents of the girls he coached in his time at East.”

In 2013, E&H announced Forrester as its new softball coach.

Forrester was a coach, teacher, mentor and friend to many. He was well known for his three
passions – mission work, traveling, and softball. Joined by some of his former players, he hosted
softball camps in the Czech Republic since 2008 in conjunction with the United Methodist
Church.
Former softball player for The Patriots’ and Wasps’ Brittany Scott, was eager to share her
experience with Forrester.

Scott said, “ Not only did Coach Forrester truly love and care for his players, but when we went
to the Czech Republic, that same attitude was reflected in his actions towards the kids at camp,
who he didn’t know personally.”

Scott was not the only one who felt as if Forrester poured his heart into those around him.

Assistant softball coach Jenae Morrissey said, “I have yet to meet anyone that is more driven,
passionate and selfless in a profession. Tommy was a prime example of what a great leader looks
like.”

“My favorite thing about working with Tommy was our conversations about how we can use the
game of softball to share the Gospel,” added Morrissey.

Earlier this spring after praying with the families of his team, Forrester said, “My faith is the
most important thing in my life and my career as a coach. My biggest accomplishments are
seeing women under our care come to know Christ and others grow closer to Him. It is such an
honor and joy when God chooses our coaches to help draw others closer to Him.”

His life was a living example of his favorite Bible verse, 1 Peter 1:22 “Now that you have
purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one
another deeply, from the heart,” which is exactly what Forrester will be remembered for.