Carrol Dean Forte

Carrol D. Forte

Carrol Dean “Cal Dean” Forte, longtime resident and Educator of Arkadelphia passed into the Lord’s embrace on Saturday, October 19, 2019, in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He was born on March 4, 1938, in Witherspoon, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his parents Charlie Forte and Eardie Bell; and a sister Gertha Mae Jones.

He was a 1955 graduate of Peake High School in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He attended Philander Smith College and earned a degree in Music Education. He attended Henderson State University where earned a master’s degree in music education, the University of Arkansas, where he earned an Educational Specialist degree, and he earned additional degrees at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, and at Alaska University.

He served during the Vietnam War in the United States Army for three years. He was stationed in Fairbank, Alaska, and Washington D.C. where he was a Bandsman during his service time, and he was honorably discharged.

He was a band director in the Fordyce Public Schools, St. Louis Public School and at Peake High School in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Carrol was the Assistant Principal at the Arkadelphia High School and Principal at Peake Elementary School, and an Administrator for Adult Education in Clark County. He was a member of St. Paul A.M.E, where he served on the Trustee Board, Culinary Coordination, and Director of Christian Education, where he enjoyed organizing various programs for the holidays. Carrol was a member of the Clark County NAACP, the city of Arkadelphia planning commission, Clark County democratic committee, and Arts and Humanities. On the state level, he served on the West Central Arkansas Work Force (appointed by the Governor). Retired educator; band director; administrator; director of Clark County Adult Education. He was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary on the local and national levels. He received numerous awards and recognition's throughout his life.

He leaves to cherish his legacy his wife of 55 years, Estella Forte; one son, Byron Forte of Phoenix, Arizona; one daughter, Carmen Irby, Son-in-law, Mack Irby; two adorable grandchildren, Macklaine Anderea Irby and Landen Carrol Irby of Arkadelphia; two brothers, Millard Banks of Chandler, Arizona and Charles Newborn of Arkadelphia, Arkansas; two sisters-in-law, Sadie Lewis and Shirlee Lee of Fort Worth, Texas; one brother-in-law Jonathan Howard of Fort Worth, Texas and one Aunt, Georgia Hill; and many nieces, nephews special cousins and friends.

Submitted by the Forte Family

Public visitation will be from 12 noon until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, 2019 at Williams Funeral Home, 1626 Logan Street. A celebration of his life will be shared with family and friends at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church with Rev. T. W. Scott, eulogist. Mr. Forte will lie on repose one hour prior to service time. Interment will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery with military honors.  

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Bailey, Kirk Jones, Stanley Hill, Jason Nelson, Keith Nelson and Rickey Govan. The honorary pallbearers will be the Stewards and Trustees of St. Paul A.M.E. Church