Obituaries, March 6, 2023

Paul J. Sandy

Paul J. Sandy passed on March 4, 2023. He was born on April 17, 1925, to Paul and Bessie Sandy in Plainfield, Indiana. Paul had one sister, two brothers, and one half brother. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Wanda Evans on November 29, 1946. Together, they had four children. Kathie Barnett (Bill), Mike Sandy (Lisa), Patrick Sandy (Gus), and Karen Kelley. He also had eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Paul grew up in Kokomo and was a graduate of Kokomo High School in 1946 and immediately joined the Army Air Corps and served proudly for 3 years. Upon returning from service, Paul enrolled and graduated from Purdue with a degree in Civil Engineering.

Paul spent many years in his field involving work with the Indiana State Highway Department, Atomic Energy Plant, and finally working 34 years with General Motors Division in Kokomo.

Paul was instrumental in facilitating construction projects for Delco Electronics in Kokomo and several global locations.

After retirement, Paul worked for Fortune Management as a Project Engineer, served on the Kokomo Planning Commission, Howard County Planning Commission, and Howard County Drainage Board. In 1986, Paul was honored by the Indiana State Governor with a Sagamore of the Wabash Award. Paul was a member of Grace Methodist Church, the Elks, American Legion, Purdue Alumni Association and the John Purdue Club.

Paul was preceded in death by his sister Betty, brothers Don, Bob, and half-brother, Lewis.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Tuesday, March 7, from 1-3 p.m. with a Memorial Service beginning at 3pm, at Sunset Memory Gardens, 2097W. Alto Rd., Kokomo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the Sandy family.

Gary Balaam Fort

Gary Balaam Fort, 86, passed away at 2:01 pm on March 2, 2023, at Wellbrooke of Kokomo. He was born July 11, 1936, the son of the late Leonard and Bertha (Townsend) Fort. On June 1, 1957, in Traverse City, Michigan, Gary married Barbara Hostman, and she survives.

Gary graduated from Traverse City High School in 1954. He attended Northwestern Michigan College where he received his associate degree and met the love of his life Barbara. He then went on to achieve his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Michigan Tech College. He served honorably in the United States Air Force then, in 1961, he went to work for Delco Electronics where he went on to become a supervisor. Gary worked diligently for 35 years before retiring. Gary was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church. He loved golfing with his buddies, reading, sports, especially Michigan and Indiana. Saturday date night with Barbara consisted of listening to Lawrence Welk and The Gaithers and the two of them would always sing along. He was family oriented and loved spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Gary always comforted people and would be a friend to anyone that needed one and would seek out those he felt needed some extra attention. Gary was a gentle, kind soul who had a heart for God and would do anything for anyone and often did.

Along with his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara, Gary is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth (Mark) Yager and Stacey McCauley; grandchildren, Michael (Lindsay) Yager, Ashley (Scotty) Overton, Britinie Spradlin, and Ryan (Alisa) Spradlin; seven great-grandchildren, Adrianah Everhart, Kaitlyn (Darren) LaCount, Jazmyn Yager, Keegan Overton, Ezra Enea, Declan Spradlin, and Maeve Spradlin; siblings, Jackie Finch, Richard (Janis) Fort, Jeffrey (Dina) Fort, and Kimberlee Fort; sister-in-law, Betty Hostman; and several niece and nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Shannon Leigh; brother, Leonard Fort; half-brother, James (Bridget) Fusha; nephew, Tony Fusha; niece, Tammy Bellows; and brother-in-law, David Hostman.

The family wishes to thank the staff and residents at Wellbrooke for their comforting support.

A celebration of life will be held from 4 to 7 pm, on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1608 Kirk Row, Kokomo, IN 46902. An inurnment will take place at Sunset Memory Gardens, at a later date. Contributions may be made, in Gary’s memory, to Faith Presbyterian Church. Messages of condolences may be left at www.stoutandson.com.

Vicky Humphries Price

Vicky Humphries Price, 68, of Kokomo, Indiana transitioned on February 23, 2023 surrounded by family. She was born in Kokomo to Grant Walden and Shirley J. Humphries (Tinder) in Kokomo, Indiana on April 19, 1954. At age 6, she was adopted by Shirley’s husband Walter V. Humphries.

Vicky graduated from Kokomo High school in 1972. She participated in band and was nominated for homecoming queen. Vicky started her career working for Sears Roebuck in customer service for three years. She went on to work for Kmart, and her mom and dad’s well-known restaurant Shirley’s Lounge. She began her culinary career working for Pizza Hut, as she worked her way up to manager. She went on to work for a myriad of food service companies that supported Chrysler, including Zaybo, ARA and AVI food services. She retired in 2008. Vicky married the love of her life, Pastor William F. Price in 2000. She started co-pastoring with her husband and created their own ministry, Truth Gospel Tabernacle. They began with visiting other churches to spread the gospel. They also started a church in a senior citizen apartment complex. They went on to become a part of a Jamaican and North Ireland Ministry where they not only fixed the hearts of people, but fixed homes with humanity home builds for people in need. Some other organizations she served include the homeless community of Kokomo, civil rights community, NAACP and IPS. She served as union representative and represented the bargaining committee for UAW Local 685 and many more. Later, she became involved in the Kokomo Great Banquet, setting up many reunion groups. In her free time, Vicky loved spending time with family, puzzles, family history searches, playing cards and cooking. She was a bright light that spent every day of her life touching the lives of others. She had a special gift of making every person in her life feel like they were the most important.

Vicky was preceded in death by her mother, Shirley J. Humphries (Tinder); father, Walter V. Humphries; father, Grant Walden; and sisters, Renita Humphries and Denorse Guynn (Humphries).

She is survived by her husband, Pastor William Price; children, LaVeta C. Beard (Humphries), Demetrius (Shawn) Barnett, Phillip L. Burks, and Terina A. Perry (Burks), her bonus children, Tonita Price, Kirsten Price, Joelle Price, Michael Price, and Taryn Price, her siblings Walter Humphries, Lisa Mills, Donita Humphries, Stacey Humphries, Tonya Twine and Christal Harris, as well as 19 grandkids, 14 bonus grand kids, 8 great-grandkids and 3 bonus great-grandkids.

Visitation will be Friday, March 10, 2023, at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 1599 E. Sycamore St., Kokomo, from 10am until the time of Funeral Services, beginning at noon. Vicky will be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens immediately following the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.SunsetmemoryGarden.com for the Price family.

Jerry Max Johnson

Jerry Max Johnson, 87, of Kokomo, Indiana passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023 at 3:37 pm at Community Howard Hospital. He was born on January 23, 1936, the son of the late Elizabeth Johnson in Seymour, Indiana. On August 28, 1987 he married Carolyn Johnson who survives.

Jerry Graduated from Seymour High School in 1954 and attended Purdue University. He then went to work at Delco Electronics as an engineer and retired after 31 years of service. He also served his country in the Army Reserves for 2 years. He assisted his wife at Carrie’s Cleaners until 2016. He also enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Carolyn Johnson; step-children, Kaye (the late Bill) Orr, the late Judy (Bob) Cubert, Karen (Scott) Pedigo, Randy (Denise) Bough; sister, the late Barbara Griffith; nephew, Mike Griffith; niece, the late Angela Underwood; 8 step-grandchildren; and 15 step-great-grandchildren.

In accordance with Jerry’s wishes all services will remain private. Please share a memory with the family at www.sunsetmemorygarden.com.