Gayle Ford

Gayle Ford, age 87, of Mena, Ark., passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at his home. He was born on Tuesday, July 14, 1936, to Kelsey and Beulah Keyes Ford in Mena, Ark. Gayle was a native of Polk County and a resident of Montgomery County. He graduated high school in 1955 and attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from the American Academy of Judicial Education in Little Rock in 1964. Gayle served with the Arkansas National Guard as a 1st Lieutenant. He served as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for nine years in Pulaski County, and served as a municipal judge in Montgomery County from 1975-1979. Gayle was past legal counsel for the Arkansas Jaycees and a member of the Arkansas Bar Association. He served as Circuit Court Judge for Polk and Montgomery County from 1980 to 2000. Gayle also served on the judicial retirement board for 32 years. He is preceded in death by his parents, Kelsey and Beulah Ford; his brother, Kelsey Ford Jr.; and son, Gary K. Ford. Gale is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joan Ford of Mena; his son, Terry Ford of Mena; grandchildren, Brittany Ford (Ramsey) of Mena, Ash Ford of Mena, Natalie Ford of Mena; great-grandchildren, Rylen Ramsey of Mena, Finnigan Ramsey of Mena, Jamie Ramsey of Mena; step-grandchild, Charles Ford of Texas; and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mena, Ark., with Brother Max Deaton officiating. Interment will follow the service at the Pinecrest Memorial Park under the direction of Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Ark. Visitation will be general from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, March 29, 2024, at the Bowser Family Funeral Home in Mena, Ark.