Gary N. Ford
February 16, 1942 – February 3, 2021
A celebration of Gary’s life will take place at a later date. Interment will be at West Cooper Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the West Michigan Cancer Center.
Obituary
Age 78, passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. Gary was born in Monroe, Michigan on February 16, 1942, the son of the late Milton and Beatrice Ford. On August 27, 1960, he married the love of his life, the former Frances J. Alexander, who survives. Gary enjoyed many trips with Fran in their motorhome and especially loved traveling to Florida, visiting family in Monroe and stops at the casino. He was a family man and cherished spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gary was truly a “jack of all trades, master of none.” Besides Fran, he is survived by his children, Carl Ford, Dawn (Troy) Nutt, Scott (Susan) Ford and Dean (Kim) Ford; 16 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Darby and Delores Chapman and many wonderful nieces and nephews. Gary is preceded in death by his daughter, Stella Ford; son, Larry Ford; brothers, Don, Dan and twin, Larry Ford and sisters, Deanna Conley, June Brooks and Nelda Burroughs.
Oh Papa…. you lived a big, beautiful life!! You spread God’s word wherever you could and you loved with your entire heart. So many moments with you have flashed before my eyes over the past few days. Walking me to school every day (he loved telling people this story), swimming in your pool on Keyes Dr, butterscotch candy, garage saling, you holding my babies (he loved “them babies”), your singing, I could go on for days. You are forever in our hearts. I love and miss you Pops!!
Grandpa was hands down the greatest man I’ve ever known! I am truly blessed to have had him and Grandma part of my childhood growing up I can’t even count how many life lessons I’ve learned from them, and I’m so grateful for them! Thank you for always welcoming me with open arms and loving me like your own granddaughter. Thank you for the endless times that you dropped us off in high school and you’re a little yellow fiesta and thank you for honking the horn when we almost got to the door and waving at us with that wretched horn which I believe it was a train horn I’ll never forget those times! Thank you for always singing to me when you saw me “Fill it up to the brim”! And thank you for showing us all how to truly love someone in a relationship like you loved grandma you are such a wonderful man and you will truly be missed say hi to my dad for me please and give him a big hug! I love you!