Pamela Lynn Forgy Klein

September 12, 1944 ~ February 6, 2022

Pamela, “Pam,” Lynn Forgy was born on Sept. 12, 1944 in Hot Springs, AR to the late LTC Dell Forgy and Pauline E. Forgy. LTC Forgy was KIA during WWII, 6 weeks prior to her birth. Pam peacefully passed away on Feb. 6, 2022 at her home in Bay City, MI, surrounded by her loving family, after a lengthy illness.

Pam spent her childhood in Hot Springs and enjoyed taking dance lessons and playing with the neighborhood kids, which included the future President of the United States, Bill Clinton. When Pam got to high school, she and her mother moved to Denver, CO, where Pam attended George Washington High School. She graduated in 1962. After graduating high school, Pam attended the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. She was a proud member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Pam graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts in 1966.

Upon graduating from college, Pam spent one year teaching school at Watts High School in Los Angeles, CA. In 1967, she took an opportunity to support the US troops in Korea, working in the recreation centers on post. In 1968, Pam traveled to Germany to continue her career as a civilian working with the US troops. In October of 1968, Pam was set up on a blind date with a young lieutenant, Chris Klein. One year later, on Oct. 22, 1969, the two were married in a German ceremony, followed by a civilian ceremony on Oct. 25, 1969.

By 1973, Pam and Chris had returned to the states and given birth to their first child, Kristin. They then returned to Germany and had their second child, Kendell, in 1976. In 1979, they returned to the Unites States for good and settled in Lawton, OK, where they raised their family.

Pam was a devoted wife and an active parent in her children’s lives. She attended every event that they participated in. She was often seen hauling girl scouts, choir kids, cheerleaders, football players, and more in her old brown station wagon. Early on, she was a member of the Crosby Park PTA and booster club. Her claim to fame was her time spent as the Longhorns’ Cheerleader and Pep Club coach from 1985-1988. She could be seen with her whistle, marching the girls around the circle drive of the school on hot summer nights, preparing them for the city-wide Jamboree spirit competitions. Pam proudly retired her whistle when she presented the winning trophy to the school in 1988.

Pam’s career included time at Home Savings & Loan, teaching at Snyder Public Schools, and working with the troops of Fort Sill, OK at the base’s recreation centers, before becoming the Director of Youth Services at Fort Sill. She spent close to 2 decades devoting herself to the military families of Fort Sill. As the Director of Youth Services, she started the Latch Key Program, which provided a safe before and after-school program for children of military families. In addition, she offered summer camps to the children of military and civilian employees. It was there that she lovingly accepted the nickname, “Dragon Lady,” from her campers. She was tough but loving.

In 1998, Pam returned to the classroom as a U.S. & World History teacher at Eisenhower High School, Lawton, OK. She had a passion for history and was excited to be able to take students to the inauguration of President George W. Bush in January 2003. Pam retired in 2008, and she and her husband moved to Bay City, MI.

In Bay City, Pam was a volunteer for Maclaren Hospital in the gift shop. She was recognized for volunteering over 1000 hours. Pam also helped with the polls on election days. In addition, she enjoyed time with her book club. Pam and her husband traveled to various destinations to attend the American WWII Orphans Network conventions, something she was tremendously proud of.

Along with her husband, the loves of Pam’s life were her girls: daughters, Kristin and Kendell, and granddaughter, Kenley. Her most extreme joy and dedication came from being “Nana” to Kenley. Pam looked forward to visits where she would play dress up, play cards, and read. She also made it a priority to attend Kenley’s dance recitals each year. This is what motivated her most while battling her long-term illness.

Pam was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, LTC Jack Forgy; and her mother-in-law, LaJean Klein. Pam is survived by her husband of 52 years, Chris Klein, Bay City, MI; her daughter, Kristin Klein, Ann Arbor, MI; her daughter, Kendell Reffett (Michael), Lawton, OK; her granddaughter, Kenley Reffett, Lawton, OK; her sister-in-law, Crystal Forgy, Fairfax, VA; 2 nephews, John (Rebecca) Forgy, Fairfax, VA and Michael Forgy, Fairfax, VA; her brother-in-law, Karl (Gail) Klein, Bay City, MI; and her loving dog, Kandi.

Donations may be made in Pam’s honor to the American WWII Orphans Network (www.awon.org/donations) or to an animal shelter of your choice.