He died very tragically on February 4, 1936 in Long Beach, CA.

According to the story handed down through the ages, he had been out to sea and he came on shore leave and rented a room.  The landlady became concerned when she did not see him for a period of time.  He had died from gas poisoning from a heater that had gone out.

RIGHT:  Carlos in about 1931 or 1932.

LEFT:  Carlos, circa 1924-1925, with Willie Bratcher.  Willie was a stepson to Kate Hamlett Forbes, sister to Carlos' mother Lula Hamlett Forbes.  Aunt Kate was first married to Carlos' Uncle George Forbes, brother to John Washington Forbes.  After his death, she married a Bratcher who had two sons, Willie and Thomas.

ABOVE:  Carlos (front, 4th from left) with his Navy shipmates.  This photo is from the family picture collection of his nephew, Elba L. "Bud" Forbes, Jr.

LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb 5--(AP)--A navy court of inquiry will be held into the death by carbon monoxide poisoning today of Carlos Forbes, 32, boatswain's mate first class.  Forbes' body was found in a hotel room.

A coroner's report said death was accidental.  Forbes had brought a group of navy recruits here from Michigan.  Yesterday, he lay down on a bed and fell asleep.  Windows were closed and an open gas heater left burning.  The coroner will not conduct an inquest.

Danville Register, Feb 13, 1936:

CARLOS FORBES BURIED YESTERDAY, LEEMONT CEMETERY

Carlos Forbes, who left Danville sixteen years ago to join the navy and to see the world and who last week accidentally met death by monoxide fume poisoning in San Diego, Calif., was buried in Leemont cemetery yesterday evening.  A naval escort, a bugler sounded "taps" and there was the crack of a rifle squad from the Greys which fired the final salute.

The services were conducted from Calvary Methodist church by Rev. E. G. Hill, Rev. Ralph J. Yow and O. A. Guinn.  Deceased was a son of J. W. Forbes of Oxford Street.

The pall bears were L. E. Merricks, David Hasty, W. M. Lewis, William Perry, G. W. Jennings, Hubbard Walker, Ira Elliott, W. L. Bradshaw.

Honorary pall bearers were Dr. W. B. Sager, R. B. Rodgers, Bascum Parrott, Ike Berman, A. D. Land, J. H. Crew, R. L. Tanner, Jimmie Tate, Mr. Mills, J. B. Swann, C. K. Fulton, and Dr. L. L. Vann.

The flower bearers were Mesdames G. T. Hasting, William Groff, W. M. Lewis, L. E. Merricks, G. W. Jennings, B. W. Scearce, T. H. Snead, Estelle Butts; Misses Edith Merricks, Dorothy Perry, Helen Davis, Elizabeth Thomas, Ruth Earp, and Elsie Toler; Clyde Hasting, Clyde Parsons, George Tanner, J. R. Bonderant, Jessie Lewis, Raymond Robinson and Guy Earp.

Danville Register, Feb 6, 1936:

CARLOS FORBES DIES IN CALIF.

Brief Message to Relatives Says Navy Man's Death Due To Monoxide Fumes

Relatives here were notified yesterday of the death of Carlos M. Forbes, boatswain's mate in the United States Navy, who was found dead in bed in his hotel room at Long Beach, Calif., on Tuesday.  A brief message received from the navy department contained the information that death was due to the effect of monoxide fumes, but contained no further particulars regarding the manner of his death.

The body is being sent to Danville with a naval escort, and the funeral service will be conducted at the home of his father, J. W. Forbes, 715 Oxford Street.  No date for the funeral has been set pending information as to the time the body will arrive.  The trip across the country will require several days.

Forbes had served in the Navy for 16 years and, at the end of his current enlistment period, would have been eligible for retirement with pay.

Mr. Forbes is survived by his parents, and the following brothers and sisters:  B. A. Forbes, J. H. Forbes, Luther J. Forbes, Mrs. A. C. Morgan, Mrs. Ruby Reese, and Miss Catherine Forbes, all of Danville and E. L. Forbes, of Detroit, Mich.