Forrest Keith Barnhill, of Devine, Texas passed away on January 16, 2022 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Keith was born January 3, 1948 to GC and Lillian Barnhill in Harlingen Texas. He grew up in San Perlita, Texas with his two brothers Roger and Sam. Keith fondly remembered running around on the farm when he was young. As a boy, he moved to Tennessee to be near his mother’s side of the family, (the Hiett family). Years later, his family finally settled in Woodsboro, Texas. Keith was on the varsity football team as a freshman, and eventually earned a football scholarship to the University of Houston.
After college Keith took a job as a Texas State Trooper. After working for the state, he worked in car sales which would eventually lead him to Devine, where he would meet his future wife, Martha. Keith and Martha married on May 12, 1984 and have been married for 38 years. Eventually, he decided to go back to school and get his degree in social work. He was trained as a licensed nursing home administrator and worked in that field from the early 90’s until 2019. Keith loved his work in the nursing home industry and he was well-known and well respected by many as a leader in this field.
He loved to hunt and fish, and most especially loved to ride motorcycles. He was outdoorsy, and would be up before the sun and outside working on any day off. Keith was a very loving father and grandfather. He is lovingly referred to as Bop by his grandkids.
Keith is survived by his wife, Martha and their children: Troy McGinnis, Sissy McGinnis, Shana (Jerel) Beaty, Bryan (Carolyn) Baker, Timothy (Monica) Baker, and Tara (Heather) Barnhill, and their 13 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Roger (Elaine) Barnhill, and Sam Barnhill. He is preceded in death by his parents Grover Cleveland Barnhill and Lillian Estelle Hiett Barnhill, and one brother, Richard David Barnhill.
Keith was a man of honor and integrity; a hard worker who never sat still. He will be missed by all who loved him.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 29 from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church at 212 W. Benton Ave. in Devine. Food will be served after the service in the church dining hall, where guests will view a memorial slideshow to celebrate Keith’s life.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made in Keith’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at michaeljfox.org.