Sterling Ford Cavanagh

STERLING FORD CAVANAGH Sterling Ford Cavanagh, 43, of Medford, Oregon died September 19, 2015. He was born to Pamela and Robert Cavanagh on February 7, 1972 in the old General Hospital, Eureka, California. Growing up on the Ford Ranch, Liscom Hill, and in Arcata, California, Ford was active in 4-H and FFA. Summers revolved around the local fairs and getting animals to market. Many unsuspecting fellow 4-H'ers at local fairs were subject to sheep pills being shot out of blow-dryers at the hands of Ford. Then there was the time his mother received a call from an Arcata Police officer letting her know she needed to “discipline her son.” He was discovered with a pickup bed filled with water balloons and was throwing them at pedestrians. Yes, more discipline was sure to do the trick. He graduated in 1990 from Arcata High School and his classmates, particularly Shelby Orth, will fondly remember him for blowing bubbles during the commencement. After high school, Ford went to College of the Redwoods where he completed his Heavy Duty Truck Driving course in 1991. Not only did he enjoy driving truck, he also took great pride in volunteering for the Arcata Fire Department; even becoming the Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Ford had an amazing work ethic…from his first job at Seely & Titlow, to Assistant Service Manager at P.C. Sacchi’s, and ultimately his truck-driving career with Joe Costa Trucking, Customer Truck Service, Cross Creek Trucking, and finally Bettendorf Trucking, White City, Oregon. Ford absolutely loved driving truck and keeping in touch with friends and family while on the road via his lip synching videos, photos of the “largest what-ever-it-happened-to-be” in whatever state he was passing through, or just a "Hey, Kiddo" hello. In 1996 and 2000 respectively, he became the father to his greatest two achievements, Tayler and Madisen. In 2009, he decided to move up to Medford Oregon; his motivation being so he wouldn't miss out on Tayler’s and Maddy’s childhood. Ford was a larger than life person who immensely enjoyed making people laugh. Riding his Harley motorcycle was a great passion. Even after he took a nasty spill on U.S. 101 just south of Crescent City, he got back on the bike and didn't let fear stop him from enjoying the open road, whether it was a joy ride or trips to visit family and friends. He loved shooting the breeze telling dirty jokes and finding humor in just about every possible situation imaginable. Karaoke was serious business for Ford; two favorites being "Rainbow Connection” in Kermit the Frog voice and "It's a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. Ford will be mightily missed by all of us, and stories of him will forever be told by the ones lucky enough to have known him. Ford is survived by his two daughters, Tayler, Eugene, OR and Madisen, Medford, OR, his mother, Pamela Ford Cavanagh, Arcata, his father Robert Cavanagh, Sonora, CA; sisters Kate Francis (Aaron), Lebanon, OR and Jean Chiles (Henry), Eureka, nephews Lucas Francis and Eli Chiles, nieces Georgia and Chloe Francis; aunts and uncles Larry and Jackee Ford, Arcata, Penny and Ken Durant, Dundee, OR, John and Charline Ford, Willits, CA, Terri Cavanagh Bremer Fitton, West Newbury, MA, and Dave Cavanagh, Courtland, CA; cousins Tara Bremer, New York City, NY, Lorraine Bremer Martin, Haverville, MA, Burl Cavanagh, Sonora, CA, Katy Durant, Portland, OR, Paul Durant, Portland, OR, Larney Ford, Arcata, Amy Ford, Willits, CA, Will Ford, Mountainside, NJ, Merritt Ford, McKinleyville, CA, Merrill Ford, McKinleyville, CA, close friend Jim West, Arcata, and Ford’s many other relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his maternal Grandparents Arthur and Katherine Ford and his paternal Grandparents Jim and Mil Cavanagh. Please join us in celebrating Ford's life on October 25, 2015 from 1-4 at the Arcata Community Center, 321 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Arcata, CA 95521. In lieu of flowers, you may donate in Ford's memory/honor to Hearts With a Mission Youth Shelter of Medford Oregon, 521 Edwards St. Medford, OR 97501 or the Katherine L. Ford Memorial fund via the Humboldt Area Foundation 363 Indianola Rd. Bayside, CA 95524 or an organization of your choice.