W.E.C.A. Profile of the Week – Lester Forrest

Lester Forrest says he was given a gift from God. Forrest now uses that gift, the ability and passion to play basketball, to teach area youngsters about the game of basketball and the game of life. Basketball came natural to Forrest and he loved the game from an early age. Growing up in Malone, Forrest was steeped in the great tradition of Malone Tiger basketball. His high school coach, Marvin Lassiter challenged him to be the best ball player possible. Forrest took that challenge because he loved the game. He also admits to accepting the challenge for another reason. "I saw basketball as a way for me to avoid being a farmer and I felt that I could use this gift from God to make a better life for myself," said Forrest. And he did his part in carrying on the Malone tradition by helping lead the 1981 Tigers to a State Championship. After graduating in 1982 Forrest went to Chipola and played for another outstanding coach, Milton H. Johnson, or Coach "J" as he fondly calls him. Forrest helped lead the Indians to a Conference Championship in 1984 and was the Co-MVP on the squad.
After leaving Chipola Forrest went to Berry College in Rome, Georgia. He left Berry and joined the Army, where he continued his love affair with the game of basketball. He played extensively while in the Army both in Seattle and in Europe. But he did more than just play basketball. He served his country during "Operation Desert Storm" and was stationed in Saudi Arabia for 7 ½ months. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant before leaving the military and returning home 15 years ago.
Upon returning home he took a job with the Department of Transportation in Chipley, where he holds the position of Engineer / Architect Assistant. Prior to joining forces with the West End Community Association (W.E.C.A.) Forrest managed Chipley’s Little League Basketball and Gilmore Park (named in honor of Chipley native and NBA legend Artis Gilmore).
Forrest joined up with W.E.C.A. four years ago to continue to use the gift he has been given. "I believe I have been given a gift from God and he wants me to use that gift to help mentor young people. Basketball is a way to instill a lot of things these kids need. Things like discipline, teamwork, social skills and hard work. But it also gives me the opportunity to instill moral values and to encourage them to be the best they can be. I tell them if they put the Lord in front of them and work hard, they can be anything they want to be," said Forrest.
The Jackson County Times is featuring a weekly profile during the month of June of individuals that work with the West End Community Association (W.E.C.A). The association is a grant funded program that provides a variety of activities and programs to young people in the Marianna and surrounding communities.