Former co-owner of one of Chico’s last “Mom & Pop” Grocery stores in Chico, Sandy Gulch Grocery, which closed after almost 30 years as a family owned business, has died. Clay opened his own store Clay’s Campus Corner continuing to co-manage with his parents, Good Times Deli. The family sold their businesses with Clay later joining Walgreen’s management team in opening two stores in Chico, managing the Nord Avenue Walgreens until he became disabled. After years of experiencing a painful disability that started with a sore on his foot; many amputations which caused chronic pain leading to his disability, Clay is finally pain-free. This kind son of Beverly J. Ford and the late Clayton H. Ford, is the father of two teens, Madelynn and Matthew Ford. He will also be missed by his sister, Beverly J. Ford-Durrer, niece & Goddaughter Krista Canfield (and family Andrew, Tyler, & Kelcey), brother-in-law Lenny A. Durrer and Larry W. Verlinde, companion his last two years of life, Kris McNary, and a friend to many in Chico. Those who knew him remember that if you needed anything, he would make certain you got if possible! He loved his children’s two companion dogs, Bingo & Athena who rarely left his side giving him lots of slurpy love; Go Raiders; cribbage with his friends and the worst shows on TV today because it was ridiculously funny to him that people could act the way they do and it kept his chronic pain manageable due to his laughter and keen sense of humor.

We celebrate his life by holding a BBQ in his honor for those who knew and loved him as he grew up in Chico since he was 2 years old. Join us at Oak Park/Sycamore Glenn (BBQ pits/tables/swings) on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 3:00 p.m. for Cheeseburgers and all the fixings! All are welcome. Please bring a fun story to share with his two young teens and something you know their Dad would want them to remember in life...Clay loved to laugh, give and receive hugs, and accepted people as they were. He never tolerated anyone making fun of others and would shake off gossip saying it was a waste of time. A Facebook page, Clay Ford Memorial, has been set up for your RSVP to the BBQ and for comments and pictures you may have of him, for memories of his life with you which his children will love and need in the coming years…In lieu of flowers, send donations to the American Heart Association. Cards can be sent to his mother Beverly at P.O. Box 7169, Los Osos, CA 93412. And, today, PLEASE MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR A COMPLETE PHYSICAL IN HIS HONOR.