Norman Kent Gilford

Norman Kent Gilford, 84, of Fort Wayne, IN, died on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 12:48 pm at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. Norm was born on November 3, 1936, to the late Carl A. and Irene M. (Guiff) Gilford in the small town of Hicksville, OH; they both preceded him in death as did his brother Lee. In his younger years he was an enthusiastic member of his school’s band, and after graduating from Harlan High School in 1954, he became an accomplished Meat Cutter, Manager, and Food Broker. He is survived by his wife Sharon (Welch) of Ft. Wayne who he married on September 7, 1973. During their 47 years together they had two sons, Chad (Cassie) and Tim (Jill). Chad and Cassie currently live in Indianapolis and Tim and Jill live in Monticello with their two daughters, Quinn and Mae. He is also survived by his brother, Larry (Barbara) of Harlan, four daughters Yolanda, Katrina, Veronica, Charmaine and their children.

Norm and Sherry opened and operated Gilford’s Lake George Meat Market in Fremont, IN for 18 years after its opening in 1974. Somewhere in the 80s he started introducing himself as Stormin’ Norman from Lake George and never looked back. He also operated a medical equipment supply store in Coldwater, MI, and semi-retired in the automotive industry. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing, gardening and mowing, and league bowling. He proudly served as a Cub Scout leader, Little League coach, Freemason, and Father. He was also a Larry Bird fanatic and was said to have had the second-largest collection of known Larry Bird memorabilia. He knew no stranger, smiled often, attempted to fix everything with duct tape, may have been the original creator of the ‘Dad Joke’, and loved his family like no other. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 6750 Covington Road, Fort Wayne with visitation beginning at 12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association or the Olson ALS Foundation, a family initiative raising funds to end Lou Gehrig’s Disease.