Crystal Marie Ford was born December 29, 1977, in Burlington, Colorado and passed away December 28, 2021, in Hutchinson, Kansas. She was the daughter of James (Butch) and Dolores Ford. Later they would divorce with Butch remaining a presence in her life. Dolores married Jim Gallentine in 1990 and Crystal gained a new father. In later years, they would refer to each other as Jim her number one father and Crystal his number one daughter.
Crystal attended schools in Wray, Burlington, Colby, Windsor, and Greeley Colorado. She took classes at Pikes Peak Community College developing her love of photography and computer graphics.
She lived in Colorado Springs for several years with her dad, Butch Ford. It was here that she met Amber Rosa, they became lifelong friends and considered themselves sisters. They went through many of life's lessons together.
On May 12, 2001, Crystal gave birth to a son, Cameron, who was the love of her life. They were inseparable and through thick and thin they had each other’s back. Crystal was Cameron's main and strongest supporter. She often said that having Cameron was the best thing she ever did in her life.
Everywhere Crystal went she met and made and collected friends. One of those friends is Natasha Mueller. Crystal and Cameron became good friends with the Muellers and have shared many adventures. She was very close to her mother and her father Jim. She would often seek advice from them, then go off and make her own decision. Crystal lived her life her way.
Crystal believed strongly in the power of God and prayer, but didn’t feel you had to go to a building to show that. She had a very strong faith in the Lord and believed that you should live your life accordingly.
She was a kind, loving, generous, a very strong and capable woman. She had a smile that could light up the world. She loved to laugh and give people a bad time. She loved giving Jim a bad time about anything that they might be doing or talking about. She could be tough as nails and fight for what she believed in.
Crystal’s main interest was in photography. She was an artist, whether it be photography, painting, drawing or just creating something. She had an interest in wood working and had built a desk where she inlaid a wood pattern. She loved fishing, camping and traveling. Her dream was to get a camper and travel.
She was preceded in death by her dad Butch Ford, Grandparents, Forrest and Regina Whipple, Jim and Anne Ford, Iona Ford, Uncles Dennis Oldham, Clifford Whipple, David Whipple, Dan Ford and Aunt Kim Armbrister. Cousins, Loyd Whipple, Jennifer Whipple, Grant Winslow, Rachel Oldham.
She is survived by her son Cameron, her Mother Dolores, Father Jim, Grandparents John and Ann Gallentine, numerous Aunts, Uncles and Cousins and a slew of friends.
Crystal’s wish was to be cremated.
Memorial services for Crystal will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 2:00 PM MT at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland with Pastor Ed Woods officiating.
Memorials may be made to Crystal Ford Memorial Fund and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Services have been entrusted to Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland.