Rev. Gary Donald Ford

Roseboro

Reverend Gary D. Ford Sr., “Herb”, 75, most recently of Roseboro, North Carolina, passed away Monday, July 1st, 2024, at Sampson Regional Medical Center.

He was born on August 3rd, 1948, in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. Rev. Ford was raised in the Orbisonia area, and he was the son of Dalbert N. and N. Amanda Ford.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Karen Grissinger-Ford; a daughter, Amy Ford-Black; a son, Gary Ford, Jr.; and six grandsons, Seth Garber, Damian Myers, Joshua Ford, Geoffrey Ford, Connor Ford, and Colton Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Sandra Ford-Covert.

Rev. Gary Ford graduated from Southern Huntingdon High School in 1966. He then obtained a BS from the University of Pittsburgh School of Engineering in 1970 and received an MS/MBA in Engineering Management from the University of Dayton, Ohio in 1974. Rev. Ford worked as an engineer for the Department of Defense for 25 years in various leadership positions, where he received two prestigious awards from the Department of the Army—the Commander’s Award for Public Service and the Superior Civilian Service Award.

Rev. Ford was bi-vocational for many years as he planted and pastored churches in Southern Ohio and Pennsylvania. He was an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God and pastored in Pennsylvania for over 30 years, serving churches in Shippensburg, Gettysburg, Claysburg, and Mercersburg. He served on the Pennsylvania Church of God State Council and Missions Board before retiring from full-time pastoring in 2007. Spreading the Gospel of Christ and ministering to people was his calling and passion. Therefore, for the past 17 years, Rev. Ford has continued to minister and served as a chaplain at the Sampson Regional Medical Center until his death. He had previously served as a chaplain through Marketplace Chaplains at Carlie C’s.

Rev. Gary Ford will be remembered for the Christian heritage that he left. He will also be remembered as a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. Services will be held at the Butler Funeral Home in Roseboro, NC on Saturday, July 6th. Viewing will be held from 1:00-1:50, and the service will follow at 2:00. A memorial service will be held in Cassville, Pennsylvania on Friday, July 12th at 2:00 at the Hope in the Valley United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Sampson Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services Department C/O Judy Naylor, P.O. Box 260, Clinton, NC 28329.

Services entrusted to Butler Funeral Home, 401 W Roseboro Street, Roseboro, NC 28382.