We are celebrating the vibrant life of Troy Harold Forman, 84, who died March 10, 2021, from heart complications at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones holding his hands while holding each other. His wings were ready this day, but our hearts were not.
His story began Nov. 19, 1936, in Bruceton Mills (Clifton community), Preston County, when Agnes Teets Forman and Ervin C. Forman added the sixth child to their family of nine.
Troy was educated grades one through eight at Mount Grove, a one-room schoolhouse near the family farm. Born at home, he grew up on this farm on what is now Compressor Station Road. During the early years of his life, he acquired an untiring work ethic. He was a true Prestonian, never forgetting where he came from — a simple man with simple needs living in a complex and complicated world.
He was a self-taught electrician, carpenter and plumber. The biggest project he ever tackled was building the house that he and Katherine made a loving home for 47 years.
Troy was the cherished husband of Katherine, his wife of 61 years. He was the devoted father of his daughter and only child, Kathie, who was born when he was 23 years old. After holding her in his arms, his life changed forever.
He had a long involvement with the Physical Plant at West Virginia University, starting in 1964 with road and grounds at $1.25 per hour. It ended on June 30, 2003, as a lead plumber in the plumbing shop. He held several positions during those nearly 40 years, which included supervision of the three heating plants on campus. In 1965, he became a boiler operator, working eight-hour swing shifts, which covered the facilities 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, keeping Beechurst, Evansdale and Med Center plants operating. In 1992, he was promoted to supervisor and was responsible for shutting down those three plants when WVU began purchasing steam from Morgantown Energy Associates. He then moved to the plumbing shop.
One of Troy’s many notable accomplishments during his WVU employment was designing the burner for the flame in the cauldron used for the Special Olympics Summer Games, hosted by the university. He was the featured driver of WVU’s first natural gas pickup truck in the video “Breathin’ Easy,” produced in 1991 by Consolidated Gas Co. He also contributed to the completion of Blaney House (the president’s home) in 2002 and was recognized by President David Hardesty. In 1987, he was selected as one of eight finalists for WVU’s Employee of the Year award from the Craft/Maintenance area. From 1985 to 2003 (18 years) he never used a sick day.
He was an avid WVU sports fan and was proud to “coach” his beloved Mountaineers for free from the comfort of his easy chair.
Troy was a member of Harner Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a lifetime member of the Mon Health Medical Center Auxiliary and volunteered for the Foundation for 15 years, accruing 2,708 hours. He also served on the Auxiliary Board from 2010-12.
Troy loved adventure and travel, visiting nearly every state, including Alaska. Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico were other destinations he marked off his bucket list. He was an avid deer hunter, bagging game with gun, muzzleloader and bow and arrow. He crafted two muzzleloaders (one each of flintlock and percussion) under the guidance of Morgantown gunsmith Marvin Wotring.
Left to cherish Troy’s memory are his wife, Katherine Hoover Forman; daughter, Kathie and Mark Thompson, her companion and soulmate; brothers, Arthur and wife Delora and Ray and wife Stella; sister, Shirley Hiser; and sister-in-law, Patricia Forman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Carl; sister, Dorthy Mason and her husband Thomas; brothers, Edward, Blain and Howard; and brother-in-law, Paul Hiser.
The family will welcome visitors at Fred L. Jenkins Funeral Home from 11 a.m. Saturday, March 20, until the 1 p.m. service with Sister Nancy White officiating. Burial will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery. We cherish the years we had with him and leave the rest to God.
All visitors and guests will be asked to properly wear a face covering, socially distance from other households and limit their time to no more than 15 minutes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation be made in memory of Troy to the WVU Foundation to support Extension Services at P.O. Box 1650, Morgantown, WV, 26507-1650.
Condolences: www.fredjenkinsfuneralhome.com
