Stephen Daryll Ford – "The Man of Destiny"

Stephen Daryll Ford was a creative, intelligent young man full of adventure and humor.  Those who briefly 
interacted with him left his presence feeling like they knew this young man forever. He was very giving of his time to family 
and friends, always willing to help someone in need if he was able to.  His smile and laughter were infectious and he always 
seemed to say a joke at the most inopportune times.  But that was our Stephen, and to know him was to love him.  He loved to 
twirl on a dance floor and enjoyed spending time with his friends, of which he had a multitude.  He loved the gift of knowledge, 
and debating with him was fruitless because he always had a good argument to the premise.  He loved the beauty of the ocean 
and would spend many hours in deep thought and meditation at the beach.  He knew of God’s love for him at an early age, 
and at times, he wandered outside the center of God’s will and purpose for his life. 

However, Stephen also possessed a dark secret of depression and bipolar mental illness.  A secret that he kept hidden 
and suffered with for 10 years which was not discovered by his family and close friends until after his death.  
On October 16th, 2012, Stephen made the decision to stop the silent suffering and took his life.  He was 28 years old.  

Those closest to Stephen have started this charity in his name so that the Man of Destiny’s struggle was not in vain.  
Our hope is to help other families dealing with the mental illness of a loved one not have to suffer the same anguish and loss 
that we felt on October 16th, 2012.  As Christians, we believe that Stephen is at peace with our Heavenly Father.  
Stephen’s presence and light are truly felt by those he loved, and his destiny lives on forever in us.