Gary LeRoy Ford went to his eternal reward on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
Gary was born September 1, 1946, to Merle and Una (Howard) Ford, in Amarillo, Texas, the second of four children. He played trumpet or coronet in band throughout school. Gary graduated from Palo Dura High School in Amarillo in 1964.
After high school, he attended several semesters of college at West Texas State University in Canyon, TX. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1969, playing trumpet in the Army Band, serving at Fort Polk and Fort Sam Houston.
Following his service, he completed his undergraduate degree from West Texas State University in Canyon (now West Texas A&M), and a Masters of Music.
In December 1973, he married Linda Lou Hooton. They have two daughters, Temple and Tyler.
Gary had several jobs, but his career was as a band director. He taught band in Spring Branch, and near Houston, TX. Later he taught in Altus, Oklahoma, and for the Mangum Public Schools from 1989 to 2001, and Cheyenne Public Schools from 2001 until retiring in 2009. He was a member of the Texas Band Directors’ Association even after retiring.
Gary and Linda worship with the Mangum church of Christ where Gary served as an elder. Gary was one of the song leaders and involved in prison ministry and a dedicated Bible student and Bible class teacher.
Additionally, Gary was involved on the Greer County 9/11 Commission and elections.
Gary was a man of few words. He loved to teach, whether it was music at school or Bible class at the church. He was a positive influence for a great many people. He didn’t say a lot of words but he always said a lot with his few words. He was truly a godly man of strong character who always said things as they were.
These qualities made Gary a beloved grandfather. “Poppa” taught all the grandchildren to drive, drove tremendous distances for events, and relished every opportunity to brag on or dote on his grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law Steve Weathers.
Gary is survived by his wife of almost fifty-one years Linda, a brother Lonnie and sister-in-law Lee Ford of Lasalle, CO, a sister Carol Weathers of Beckville, TX, a brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Bobbie Ford of Pensacola, FL, daughter Temple and son-in-law Benjamin Stewart of Oklahoma City; daughter Tyler Whitehead; grandchildren Gabe Whitehead; Jonah Mace and Darla Stewart of Midland, TX, Olivia Stewart, and Solomon Stewart; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tipton Home, the Westview Boys Home, High Plains Children’s Home, In Search of the Lord’s Way in Edmond, or the Bear Valley Bible Institute.
A celebration of Gary’s life will be held at 2 pm on Monday, 25 November, at the Mangum church of Christ. In honor of Gary's deep love for Mangum and the Dallas Cowboys, please wear your favorite Mangum Tiger or Dallas Cowboy attire.
To send flowers in memory of Gary LeRoy Ford, visit the Tribute Store.
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Memorial
25
Nov
401 East Lincoln
Mangum, OK 73554
