Harvey Gayle Ford

Harvey Gayle Ford Obituary

On April 20, 2023,  Harvey Gayle Ford,  age 86,  passed into glory to be with his Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.  Gayle was at home when he passed to the other side quietly and peacefully with tears in his eyes while his wife and daughter were by his side. 

Gayle was born in Shattuck, Oklahoma on November 5, 1936.  His parents, Harvey Russell Ford and Naomi Hallie Ford left Oklahoma when Gayle was four months old to reside on a small farm in Adna, Washington then they moved to Chehalis, Washington.

Gayle shared his childhood with his two younger brothers, Jack Ford now of Silverdale, Washington and Harold Ford of Frederick, Maryland who has preceded him in death.

Gayle graduated from Chehalis High School in 1955 and enjoyed playing his french horn in the high school band and during church services.  He joined the Navy shortly thereafter and took accounting classes while he worked in the supply store in which he later would put to good use while owning a Ma and Pa grocery store on the West side of Olympia, Washington.

He married Ella Repsch Longstreet and they raised four daughters now Faith Plass Ennis of Sun City West, Arizona.  Hope Hough and Renee Crandall of Olympia, Washington and Norma Morgan of Olympia, Washington who has preceded him in death.

After Ella passed away from cancer in 1989, Gayle married Cynthia Lindgren in 1991, whom he met while attending Westwood Baptist Church in Olympia, Washington.

Gayle worked several jobs throughout his lifetime starting with having a paper route when he was younger.  He then worked in the produce department at Safeway.  After that he moved on to the L & E Bottling Company and then to try his hand in the store business for seven years.  He got tired of working seven days a week and not having enough time with his family so he hired on at the Olympia Brewery and spent the rest of his working days working a specialty job repairing tanks.

In 1997 he retired from the Olympia Brewing Company and he and Cynthia moved to Onalaska, Washington to finish out the rest of his retirement.

Gayle loved the outdoors and especially hiking and kayaking.  He took his last kayak trip with Pastor Bill Bailey who had to help him get out of his kayak.

He liked woodworking and spent his retirement years woodworking, gardening and cutting down trees for fire wood on his five acres along the river.

Gayle loved the Lord and wanted to serve him at the Napavine Baptist Church as well as Faith Baptist Church in Chehalis, Washington. 

Gayle enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren:  Caleb, Mackenzie, Riley, Hunter, Kendall, Cameron and Meghan. He wasn’t able to see some of his great-grandchildren, but he loved holding the ones he was able to hold during his illnesses.

Gayle never complained during his illness of diabetes, three mini-strokes and colon and liver cancer.  He was a gentle giant and will be missed by all who have known him.  We can hear him saying,  “Can I help?”

A Memorial Service will be held at the Faith Baptist Church, 436 Coal Creek Road in Chehalis, Washington with Pastor Mike Sherry officiating on June 3rd at 11:00 AM.  You may give an offering to the Faith Baptist Missionary Fund in lieu of flowers.

Soup and sandwich will be provided after the service.

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