In Memoriam: Tom Forshaw III

CHARLOTTE – Tom Forshaw III, longtime leader of Forshaw Distribution, passed away on June 29, after battling cancer. He was 81.

A graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in applied mathematics and minors in computer programming and economics, Tom then joined the U.S. Army, where he spent time as a company commander in Korea and later with the psychological warfare unit.

Following his military service, Tom returned to Charlotte to join his father in the family business, Forshaw Chemicals. He went on to found Forshaw Distribution. As recounted in his 2010 PCT Leadership article, “We’re primarily pest control. Both my brother and I bought dad out in the early 80s. And in 2005, we split the business in half. He took the wood preservative business and I kept the pest control business."

In addition to running Forshaw Distribution, Tom’s decades-long career included leadership roles with industry organizations NPMA, UPF&DA, and the NC State Engineering Foundation Board.

Tom is survived by Meredith, his wife of 56 year and their three children — Anne, Thomas, and Susan — and their families.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Aug. 18, at 2 p.m., at Christ Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28207, or to Novant Health Hospice, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233-3549.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

Additional source: https://kennethpoeservices.com/obituaries/2195-thomas-forshaw-iii