Forrest “David” McMaken, Jr.
Forrest “David” McMaken, Jr., age 79, of Waynesburg, passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021 in the Golden Age Retreat in Carrollton. He was born Sept. 1, 1941 in Covington, Ohio the eldest child of Forrest and Melba (Pence) McMaken, Sr.
Early in his life, he began training in music which would become his lifelong passion and occupation. From high school years he played clarinet in several of the area community bands and most recently participated in bands in Dover and Canton. With clarinet as his major performance instrument, he earned a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from the Cincinnati College Conservancy of Music.
As a music educator, his career spanned 30 years, 29 of those as Instrumental Director of the Caldwell Exempted Village Schools music program. During those years, both the Caldwell Marching and Concert Bands faithfully educated and entertained the Caldwell students and community and also earned recognition of excellence from Ohio and beyond for their participation in the Ohio Music Education Association events. In 1999, he was honored by his pears with election into the Ohio Band Directors Hall of Fame at Akron University. After retirement from teaching, he returned to his childhood love of the farm together with his wife and crafted the organic beef farm, Rose Ridge Farm. He served and cared for the many animals in this setting and those animals all returned affection.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna (Robertson) McMaken whom he married in 1983; four brothers, Gordon (Kay) McMaken of Tampa, FL, Dennis (Tammy) McMaken of China, MI, Carl (Denise) McMaken of Gastonia, NC and Luther (Nanci) McMaken of Piqua, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held in Bethlehem Cemetery in Malvern on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 with Rev. Michael Wallace officiating. Those wishing to send condolences may sign the online register book at www.gotschallfuneralhome.com.
My sympathy for the family! David’s passion for music fired my soul in music. He was my band leader from middle school all the way through high school. Instilled the fire in me to continue to pursue music through college. Rest easy leader of the band!
My sympathy for the family! David’s passion for music fired my soul in music. He was my band leader from middle school all the way through high school. Instilled the fire in me to continue to pursue music through college. Rest easy leader of the band!
My sympathy for the family! David’s passion for music fired my soul in music. He was my band leader from middle school all the way through high school. Instilled the fire in me to continue to pursue music through college. Rest easy leader of the band!
Mr. McMaken was my band director at Caldwell. I played clarinet, fifth grade through twelfth. The band went to Florida every 4 years and I was a senior the year I got to go. That was the year that Caldwell won Grand Champion over every other band there. Our little 72 member band, compared to all of the big bands that were there participating, knew when we walked out of our performance that we had done the absolute best we could do. I will never forget the awards night when they called our name over the loud speaker. I have a granddaughter in band at her school, and we’ve had many talks about my band years, and how Mr. McMaken was highly respected among other directors, and how glad I am that I learned how to read and play music and be part of such a great experience! RIP
Deanna,
My heart felt condolences and prayers are sent to you my dear! The members of the Cambridge Band have many fond memories of you you Botha d the many students you influenced. This year we are celebrating 180 years of service and you both played an important period of our history.
Love and prayers.
GOD bless us everyone!
Berk
A great man and music director at Caldwell High! I learned alot about music and how to be a good person! May you rest in peace.🙏
Sympathy & prayers to all his family & friends. Our daughter, Lynn, played in the Caldwell band & continued on at Capital University getting a degree in music. Thanks to Mr. McMaken’s influence & affecting hundreds of kids from Noble County in his guidance & love of music. Caldwell High School band was known far & wide for their great performances all due because of their great leader. I also had a sister, Dorothy, play in the school band. RIP, David!!!!
Rest in peace Mr.McMaken. You have no idea the number of lives you touched and/or influenced. Your passion, persistence, and high standards taught us about more than music and being a good musician, you taught us about life and how to be a good human being. You demanded our best each and every time we played whether it was in the band room or in front of an audience. You knew what each and every one of us was capable of and pushed us to find it within ourselves, to always demand the best of ourself and to not settle for anything less. And after every performance, it wasn’t the applause of the audience, it was the look, the smile on your face Mr. McMaken that told us how we did. That smile never failed to make us swell with pride because we knew that we had pleased you and made you proud of us. Thank you for every music and life lesson you taught me and that remain with me all these years later. We have lost a great man, but your influence will live on, rippling out into the world from the countless lives your life touched. Thank you
Rest in peace Mr.McMaken. You have no idea the number of lives you touched and/or influenced. Your passion, persistence, and high standards taught us about more than music and being a good musician, you taught us about life and how to be a good human being. You demanded our best each and every time we played whether it was in the band room or in front of an audience. You knew what each and every one of us was capable of and pushed us to find it within ourselves, to always demand the best of ourself and to not settle for anything less. And after every performance, it wasn’t the applause of the audience, it was the look, the smile on your face Mr. McMaken that told us how we did. That smile never failed to make us swell with pride because we knew that we had pleased you and made you proud of us. Thank you for every music and life lesson you taught me and that remain with me all these years later. We have lost a great man, but your influence will live on, rippling out into the world from the countless lives your life touched. Thank you
Dear Deanna,
I just heard yesterday about David. I’m so very sorry. I will get in touch with you soon. Please take care.
Love,
Debbie