Larry Paul Ford passed away peacefully in Big Rapids at the age of 88. He was born to Paul and Martha Ford on February 23, 1937 in Morley. Larry was raised in the village of Morley, graduating from Morley High School in 1955. Following graduation, Larry enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served until 1963. He was discharged from Treasure Island, San Francisco, California. He also completed two tours in Japan.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Larry returned to the West Coast, where he worked on-and-off in retail for 20 years. While in California he attended different churches; he was even saved by the Evangelist, Billy Graham, during one of his Crusades. Next to his faith, sports was a major part of Larry's life. He played baseball and basketball, was a long-time fan of both the Tigers and the Spartans, but his heart always lie with the Morley-Stanwood Mohawks. It was a joy for Larry to watch them play, both boys and girls. In 1988, he saw the Mohawk boys play in the state championship game. He saw them again later on, but they lost 3-1 to Blissfield. In 2012, he saw the Lady Mohawks will the Class C State Championship in Basketball by the score 61-57. That same season, the won the state volleyball championship. The boys baseball team, coached by Larry's brother, Ron Ford, held the top record of 37-2 in 1988. Also in 1988, the girls went perfect at 28-0, a top record for the school.

One of Larry's greatest moments happened while golfing, when he scored a hole-in-one using a 9 iron, at the Birchwood Golf Course in Howard City. The ace was a par 3 of 113 yards.

In his later years, Larry lived at the Mulberry Estates in Howard City. He could often be seen shopping right next door at the Leppinks Food Center, where he was known as Mr. Ford. He could also be found attending the Northland United Methodist Church, even serving as an usher at times. Larry truly enjoying greeting and catching up with members of the congregation every week.

Larry will be sorely missed by his siblings: Marilyn Joan Walter on Morley, Jerry Forrest (Nancy) Ford of Bangor, and Ronald Lee (Lana) Ford of Newaygo. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews; Mary (Greg) Riggoni of Kingsford, Kim (Dennis) Tauchen of Indiana, Lee Walter of Morley, Cindy (Patrick) Buckland of Battle Creek, Scott Ford of Indiana, Mark Ford of Illinois, and Tyana Ford of Newaygo; as well as great nieces and nephews: Adam, Alicia, Joel, Missy, Jared, Maxwell, Cameron, and Voca. Larry's friends and family are comforted by the knowledge that Larry is beginning a new journey of entering the Kingdom of Heaven to be with his savior, our Lord. He is preceded in death by his parents, Paula and Martha Ford, as well as his brother-in-law, Lawrence Walter.

Larry's funeral will be conducted on Friday, September 12, 2025, 1:00 P.M. at Northland Global Methodist Church, Stanwood. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 5-7:00 P.M. at Daggett Gilbert Funeral Homes, Big Rapids and on Friday, from 12:00 noon until the time of service. Following the service, Larry will be laid to rest near his family at the Aetna Township Cemetery. Memorial Contributions may be made to Northland Global Methodist Church, Stanwood, or Hospice of Michigan. To leave a memory or share a condolence, please visit, www.daggettfuneral.com