Larry Kyle Forrest, 61, of Kyle, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, at his home. Larry was born June 1, 1951, in Washington, D.C. He graduated from Edison High School in Fairfax, VA and received his B.S. Degree in Physiological Psychology from George Mason University.
Prior to graduation from college, Larry served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. After leaving college, he and his wife moved to Austin, where he worked for the State of Texas before he followed a lifelong passion for astronomy by founding and developing the optics engineering and manufacturing firm Glass Mountain Optics. He served as President and CEO of that company until its recent acquisition by a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Larry was a former member of the Austin Astronomical Society, donating time and talents to that organization.
He was a founding member of the Board of Directors of the Austin Planetarium, working toward the establishment of a home for the planetarium. In his retirement, he was an avid traveler and was an accomplished photographer.
He is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Sharleen Forrest, and his sister, Sue Forrest. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert Forrest; mother, Mildred Forrest of Virginia and Florida; and his brother, Richard Forrest.
Arrangements for a memorial service are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Austin Planetarium.org.
