MOUNT VERNON — Gary L. Samford, a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, died peacefully on November 13 in Lexington, Kentucky, surrounded by his beloved family.
He was 75. Gary, the son of Arthur and Roba Samford, was born in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, and valedictorian of the Mount Vernon Township High School Class of 1966. An alumus of the University of Illinois, Gary also attended the Emmanuel School of Religion and was ordained as a minister of the gospel at Central Christian Church in 1977. He later earned his Masters of Practical Ministry at the Cincinnati Bible Seminary. Gary’s ministry touched lives from the sprawling suburbs of Atlanta and Chicago to rural communities in Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky. Despite his formidable intellectual prowess, Gary always tempered his biblical knowledge with practical application. His mission was to make sure whatever message he gave on Sunday helped Walt pump gas better on Monday. But his best lessons were never spoken. They were delivered with empathetic grace when he drew from his own wallet to help struggling parents make rent and feed their children. They showed every time he dropped everything to be with those facing life-changing circumstances. They were imparted through the devotion he poured into preparing weekly sermons, Bible studies and Sunday School lessons. He sacrificed for his family and instilled within his three sons the values of hard work, respect for others, and the importance of being joyful and grateful in all circumstances.
Gary leaves behind his sons David (Cheri), Jonathan (Sara), and Michael (Courtney), seven grandchildren, Lillian, Harrison, Caroline, Jonathan, Henry, Andrew and Katherine, and his former wife of thirty-three years Sharon Samford.
Gary’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, November 18 at 12:30 p.m. CT at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon.
A visitation at 10:30 a.m. CT will precede the service. A private family interment service will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any in memoriam acknowledgements be made to Central Christian Church or Sayre Christian Village in Lexington. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.