Gary Austin Ford of Gadsden, AL, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May
29, 2023, at the age of 88 after an extended illness. He was born on Christmas
Day, December 25, 1934. Gary was preceded in death by his precious daughter
(Meleah Gaye Ford), father (Henry Austin Ford), mother (Eva B. Kittle Ford), and
sister (Alice Callicoat). He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Eva Sue Ford, his
sweetheart and love of his life. He is also survived by his son Greg (Susan) Ford,
daughter Joy (Ralph) Burke, brother Bob (Velma) Ford, granddaughters – Morgan
Ford, Sally Ann (John) Williams, Camilee Downey, grandson - Brandon Ford, great
grandson - "Big Guy" KC Williams, extended family members Tim Williams and
Joey Williams, Ricky Downey, sister-in-law, Lola Carroll, a host of nephews, nieces
and a multitude of other family members and beloved friends.
Gary was born in Gadsden, AL, then moved with his mother and brother to
Dayton, OH. There he met and married Sue. Prior to this time, Gary was an
aviation mechanic during the Korean Conflict. While in Dayton, he started his
lifelong career as a machinist, tool and die maker and engineer. Gary, Sue and
young Greg would later move to Alabama where he worked for several
companies including Alabama Tool Company and I.D. Precision before eventually

founding his own business Coosa Tool and Die, Inc. Then Gary retired from Mid-
South Products Engineering as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer. With little formal

education, Gary became a Master Machinist, Class A Tool & Die Maker and
Engineer/Tool designer.
He was a deer hunter, an accomplished golfer, excellent at the billiard table, and
an avid reader. Gary loved Louis L'Amour books and owned/read 129 of his
novels some several times. He also loved to read about science and space, history,
geography and nature. Gary loved to watch old western movies, Alabama
football, and listen to music which he spent a great amount of time doing in his
later years. He loved to garden and had a green thumb. He also loved to cook
especially with his grandchildren and was an excellent personal "chef" for family
and close friends. If you were fortunate enough to receive any of his special
recipes, you are blessed!
Gary, affectionately known by his family as "Pop", loved, protected and provided
for his family who in turn cherished the time loving on and ministering to him in
his later years. He was always proud of his family and loved time spent with
them. Gary was also a man who was fair and just, benevolent to both friends and

strangers who may or may not have been in need. He was a loyal friend who had
a big heart of gold.
Gary was baptized as a young boy, and later in life made a "strong" profession of
faith to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is now "breathing" and "walking" in
perfect health in Heaven with Jesus and his precious daughter, Meleah, and other
loved ones.
The family would like to thank the following who provided excellent care and
compassion during his illness: Dr. Mazen Hakim/friend, special nurse/friend
Catherine McBurnett, Dr. Jeremy Goodwin, Dr. B. J. Patel, Riverview Hospital
doctors, nurses, respitory and staff, Christi Mayo, Pam Giles, Encompass Rehab
Hospital, Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, special home health nurse Kayla
Robinson, the EMTs and Paramedics of Gadsden Fire and Rescue and Physicians
Apothecary.
Services will be held at Crestwood Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, June 2,
2023. Visitation will be from 12:00-2:00 PM with a celebration of life service at
2:00 PM and burial following service at Crestwood.
Services to be officiated by Dr. Paul Murphy and Reverend Royce Head.
Pallbearers & Honorary Pallbearers are: Brandon Ford, Gregory Scott Ford, Darrell
Ford, Jeff Ford, David Carroll, Mike Carroll, Jon Carroll, Justus Venn, John Williams,
and Ricky Downey
*We will love you forever, Pop – Your family
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are
mine." Isaiah 43:1