The Bob Forrest Family

(Bob, Barbara, and Gary)

Bob and Barbara Forrest were high school sweethearts in Carlsbad, where he was an outstanding athlete and quarterback for the Cavemen. Concerned that his chances of holding on to her were slim to none after his graduation, he managed to convince her to elope to Juarez, Mexico, in 1954. They have been together ever since and have spent a lifetime working to make Carlsbad a better place to live. One of their sons, Gary Don Forrest, was born on May 22, 1963, in Carlsbad. In 1973, inspired by their son Gary’s challenges, Bob & Barbara started CARC Inc. for adults with special needs. The organization has empowered many individuals to grow and thrive, helping them live fulfilling and productive lives. Many national and state organizations now use CARC Inc. as a model.

Bob was originally born in Albuquerque, but his father founded Forrest Tire Company in 1944. A wartime authorization to sell tires to civilians gave him a choice of locations and, with the flip of a coin; he moved the family to Carlsbad. Bob and his twin brother Dick chose to attend and play for Texas Western College in El Paso. Both were football standouts with options for an NFL career, but they knew their future was in Carlsbad to run the family business, which soon expanded into many other areas under their watch. Bob served the City of Carlsbad for 21 years, including 16 as mayor and 5 on city council. His lengthy career in public service included strong support for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant, successful development of the sports complex, expansion of the City’s access to water, helping win a major potash dumping case against Canada, and many other accomplishments.

Barbara was born in Carlsbad, where her father worked in the potash mines for PCA. As the co-founder of CARC, Barbara served on numerous boards related to special needs, and she received national recognition for her efforts. Governor Tony Anaya appointed her to the Developmental Disabilities Planning Council in 1983. She served on the CARC board of Directors from 1973 to the present.

Gary grew up in a loving home with his brothers, Bobby and Mike. He worked at CARC, where he helped with pecans and in the greenhouse, at CNB Bank, and at numerous other locations. He loved his family and athletics, especially competing in the Special Olympics and watching the Dallas Cowboys. Gary passed away in 2022 at the age of 59, and the entire community mourned him. The Forrests are pillars of the community and philanthropists, and they continue to serve Carlsbad and Eddy County in many ways.