Dr. Forrester started his family medicine practice in Stanley in 1963 in the same
office on the corner of Thompson and West Chestnut Streets that Dr. Fesperman had his first office.
Dr. Forrester born in Scotland, was a graduate of Wake Forest University,
Bowman Gray School of Medicine of WFU (MD), and UNC-Charlotte Master of Public Health. He took
his internship at N. C. Baptist Hospital.
He was a past president of the Gaston County Medical Society, and the Gaston County Heart
Association. Dr. Forrester served on the Board of Trustees of Gaston Memorial Hospital for four terms.
He also was on the board of the Gaston County Art and History Museum as well as the Gaston Arts
Council.
He was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Gaston County Children's Council, and Vice
Chairman of the Gaston-Lincoln Mental Health Board and member of the North Carolina Heart Association.
Dr. Forrester was Medical Director of Brian Center and Greenfield Manor Nursing Homes and Medical
Consultant for the Gaston County Health Department.
In the community he is the Team Physician for East Gaston High School Football Team, past President
of the Stanley Lions Club and is a member of First Baptist Church in Stanley. Dr. Forrester, a member
of the Christian Medical Society, performed foreign Medical Missions in Central America.
In addition to his medical practice Dr. Forrester was a member of, and is now retired from, the
North Carolina Air National Guard. During the Vietnam War he participated in Air Evacuation of the
wounded. He is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Air Force Commendation and Meritorious Service
Awards and a Graduate of the Air War College. He was honored as the former Command Flight Surgeon of
the Year in the U.S. Air Force. He is an Associate Fellow with the Aerospace Medical Association,
a Class I FAA Medical Examiner and State Air Surgeon as Chief Flight Surgeon Rating with 2400 flying
hours.
He is a former Commander of 145 TAC Clinic and former Assistant Adjutant General for Air and
attained the rank of Brigadier General (now retired) Air National Guard.
With an interest in politics Dr. Forrester ran for Gaston County Commissioner in 1982 and won. He
held that position until 1990 at which time he ran for the N. C. State Senate. He won that seat and
is still in that capacity in 1998. State Senator Dr. Jim Forrester and his wife, Mary Frances All,
have four children.
[ The Museum ] [ Contact Us ] [ Stanley History ] [ Photo Galleries ] [ Citizens ] [ Recollections ] [ Schools ] [ Churches ] [ Community ] [ Recent History ] [ Order the Books ] [ Topic Index ] [ Site Index ] [ Search ] [ Acknowledgments ] [ Related Links ] [ Guestbook ]
