Gary Glenn Blackford, 80 years of age, and a resident of Monroeville, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020, at the home of his daughter, following a full and meaningful life and one -year battle with cancer.

Gary was born June 26, 1940, in Amherst where he was raised. He graduated from Central High School with the class of 1958, where he excelled in football.  He resided in Wakeman for thirty years before moving to Monroeville where he had made his home for the last four...

Gary Glenn Blackford, 80 years of age, and a resident of Monroeville, passed away Monday, December 28, 2020, at the home of his daughter, following a full and meaningful life and one -year battle with cancer.

Gary was born June 26, 1940, in Amherst where he was raised. He graduated from Central High School with the class of 1958, where he excelled in football.  He resided in Wakeman for thirty years before moving to Monroeville where he had made his home for the last four years.

He was employed at Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company (CEI) Avon Lake Plant, for many years.  Following his retirement from CEI he was employed as a milkman, delivering products to the local schools for several years.  From his youth, Gary loved the outdoors and so it followed that he loved his farm, River Crest Meadows, as well as raising show cattle.  Gary was active in the Lorain County Steer Club as an advisor. He also had a keen interest in raising, training and judging bird dogs.  Most of all Gary loved his family particularly his grandchildren with whom he was deeply involved.

Survivors include his children Kendra Bradley (Paul) of Wakeman, Jodie Smith of Vermilion, Gary A. Blackford of Milan, MI, and Brian Blackford of Wakeman; thirteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren; his siblings Sharon Dillon (Richard) of Vermilion, Dale Blackford (Barbara) of Amherst, and Glenn Blackford (Laura) of Grafton.

He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty-nine years, Marilyn Marie Blackford on September 27, 2019; as well as by his parents Glenn and Phyllis Blackford (nee: Brown).

Public visitation  for family and friends will be held Sunday, January 3, 2021  by reservation at https://signup.com/go/sFoPstM  or by calling 440-988-4451 between 9am and 5pm at Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst, OH.  Funeral Services will be held Monday morning by reservation at  https://signup.com/go/zWNGyJf at Hempel Funeral Home. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com    Burial will take place at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to American Cancer Society; PO Box 897, Hershey, PA 17033. 

Please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.