Leroy Ford Obituary

Leroy “Sky Rock” Ford, 85, of Benton Harbor, passed away, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

A celebration of life homegoing service will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 3, 2026 at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, with Rev. Seth LaRue officiating. Burial will follow at North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. Friends may visit from 10:00 until 11:00 A.M. Friday at the funeral home. Those wishing to sign Leroy’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Leroy was born March 28, 1941 in Brookhaven, Mississippi to Lawrence Ford & Josephine Lunzy. After moving to Benton Harbor, he was employed at Auto Specialties, Yerington Construction, and most recently at Chicken Coop in Benton Harbor. Leroy enjoyed fishing, singing and the time spent with his many friends who knew him as “Burner”. He was the life of the party and never left you wondering what he thought as he spoke the truth whether it was good or bad. His favorite saying was “My way or the highway”. Leroy was very proud of his son Eli and he cherished the time spent with him and all of his family, he was the family patriarch. Leroy had a special bond with his sister Marie. She was more than a sister. She was his best friend, caregiver, & ride or die friend. Their bond was unbreakable. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Leroy is survived by his son Eli Walker of Indianapolis; numerous grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren; his siblings-Marie Lunzy, Joyce (Larry) Patton, Phyllis Jackson of Louisiana, Eddie Casnave of Texas; a host of nieces & nephews, special nephew Jerome Lunzy, extended family; and long-time friends Thomas & Beverly Headspeth & Joseph Brown. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings-Kenneth Ray Lunzy, Dunkey Ray Smith, LC Lunzy & Lois Marie Lunzy.