James Brian DeForest, of Galesburg, IL, died Friday, January 15th, of an apparent heart attack. He was sixty-six years old.
Brian was born in Galesburg on December 30th, 1954, the fifth of seven children, by every account a hellion and barn-burner from the start. He was a member of the Galesburg High School graduating class of 1973, despite reportedly skipping more classes than anyone who had ever been allowed to graduate. He worked for the Municipal Water Department and served as president of the local labor union before earning a B.A. in history from Western Illinois University, graduating magna cum laude. Always a polarizing figure, as a young man he channeled his passion into labor organizing and competitive tennis. He went on to be a longtime conductor for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, and retired in late 2020. He had a frequent habit of predicting his own death, and a railroad man, he always said, dies at retirement—it was often difficult to tell when he was joking.
In truth, Brian was a great historian and scholar of American politics, a one-time pilot, an avid runner, a closet pianist, an aspiring writer, and a vocal and long-suffering fan of the Philadelphia Eagles. He was an enthusiast for German automobiles, particularly Porsches, two of which he totaled in his lifetime. His third and last, a 2011 Boxster, managed to survive him. All who knew him well agree that Brian was charming and troubled in equal measure. He showed a certain pride in being banned from any club that ever had him as a member. He is preceded in death by his parents, LaVergne and Dorothy DeForest, and his brother, Patrick DeForest, all of Galesburg. He is survived by five siblings, Michael DeForest and wife Deborah of Galesburg, Terri Hausvick-Sedore and husband Nick of Roscoe, IL, Kevin DeForest and wife Kathryn of Knoxville, IL, Dennis DeForest and wife Karen of Hamilton, IN, and Shawn DeForest and wife Amy of Lexington, NC. He also leaves two ex-wives, Caryn DeForest of Galesburg, and Debra Deets of Clearwater, FL, and recent partner Kimberly Robinson of Abingdon, IL; three children, James Alexander DeForest of St. Petersburg, FL, Nicholas DeForest and partner Alexandra Russell of Tucson, AZ, and Anna DeForest and husband Stephen Douglas of New Haven, CT; two grandchildren, Rinoa and Jude DeForest of St. Petersburg, FL; and the last of a long line of beloved cats, Evil, whom he doted on with an easy affection the rest of us often longed for. We are consoled to know the pride of his life was the success and happiness of his children. The flags at the local Anheuser-Busch distributor are surely flying half-mast in his memory.
A socially-distanced visitation will be held at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg on Wednesday, January 27, 2021, from 5-7pm, with a private mass to follow. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, face masks and limited occupancy will be enforced. A memorial service will be held at a time when such gatherings are safely permitted. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Brian’s honor to the Humane Society of Knox County. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
