Roger Julian Ford, Jr. departed this earthly life on November 19, 2015. He was born November 12, 1965 in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was the youngest of six children and the only boy born to the late Rev. Dr. Roger Julian Ford, Sr. and Mrs. Velma Gray Ford. Roger's education began in the Albemarle County, VA School system and was completed in the Amherst County School system. He is a 1984 graduate of Amherst County High School. He attended Hagerstown Junior College for a brief time and then came home to work to support his young family. After working a number of different jobs, Roger was hired by the Amherst County Water Authority where he was a dedicated employee for over 29 years.
Roger loved sports and excelled in three of them: baseball, football and basketball. His achievements during the elementary years in baseball are many and noteworthy. During his years at Monelison Junior High School his team, the Trojans were undefeated in football and basketball, 1979-1981 and Roger was MVP both years in both sports. During his senior year at Amherst County High School, 1983-1984, he was named Western District Player of the Year and Lynchburg Area Play of the Year in basketball.
Roger's love of sports carried over into adulthood. He coached the Monelison Bruins Recreational Football League for 10 years, 1993 – 2003. In the last few years, Roger enjoyed hunting and was very proud of how he provided delicious venison for family and friends.
He leaves to cherish precious memories and to carry on his legacy, his loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Stephanie Rose Ford; his children Brenton Cameron Ford and LaKeisha Monique Ford of Madison Heights, VA; his mother, Velma Gray Ford of Charlottesville, VA; five sisters Lori Ford-Taylor (Alaric), Nadine Ford, Francine Ford-Hill (Henry) all of Raleigh, NC, Robin Ford of Lynchburg, VA and Wendy Ford-Brown of Charlottesville, VA; two nephews Ryan C. Ford of Lynchburg, VA and Julian E. Taylor of Raleigh, NC; one niece Danielle D. Ford of Raleigh, NC; one uncle Willie Gray (Clasteen) of Esmont, VA; two aunts Annie Anderson of Charlottesville, VA and Marva Simpson of Esmont, VA; two brothers-in-law Frederick Rose (Patricia), Thomas Rose (Gail); three sisters-in-law Andrea Pennix (Otis) all of Madison Heights, Veronica Jones (Percy) of Palmer, AK and Sharon Rose of Madison Heights, VA as well as a host of cousins and lifetime friends. Roger was preceded in death by his father.
As a man who shared and loved life with many he will be sorely missed.