Reverend Earl Jeffrey Lord, 72 of Savannah went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 13, 2024 with his family at his side. He was a minister, musician, journeyman machinist, husband, father, and grandfather.
Jeff was born on March 11, 1952 in Mansfield, Ohio the son of the late Earl and Margaret (nee Johnson) Lord.
He married the love of his life the former Ada Peyton on June 5, 1973.
He worked his way through college welding, machining, and in sales. He started college at Ashland University where he studied music. Later he transferred to Fort Wayne Bible College to study for the ministry. He graduated in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and later took courses for his master’s in counseling at Huntington Graduate School.
Jeff accepted his first pastorate in 1977 and was ordained in 1984. He proudly served the following congregations: Gospel Tabernacle in Hicksville, Ohio, Living Faith in Yoder, Indiana, Galion Alliance in Galion, Ohio, Free Methodist in Massillon, Ohio, Christ Memorial in Robertsville, Ohio and Mayflower Congregational in Mansfield, Ohio. He used his musical gifts singing and performing special numbers in churches, conferences, and special meetings. He directed choirs for years, not only for weekly services, but also for Christmas and Easter cantatas.
Throughout his life, Jeff enjoyed studying the Word, leading others to faith in Christ, discipleship, and helping others grow in their faith and knowledge of the Bible. His priorities were Faith, Family, and Friends.
Jeff is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Ada Lord of Savannah; his three children, Jeffrey (Deanna) Lord of New Whiteland, Indiana, Steven (Niki) Lord of Columbus and Julie Whitmore of Savannah; seven grandchildren, Haleigh (Nicholas) Hughes of Ashland, Faith Whitmore of Savannah, Samantha, Addison, and Vivian Lord all of Columbus, Kirstyn Preizer of Shelbyville, Indiana and Megan (Marc) Harris of Portland, Oregon; and three great grandchildren, Graham Preizer and Temple and Josephine Harris.
Jeff is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Reverend Doyle Peyton presiding. Interment will follow in the Pleasant Valley Baptist Cemetery. Friends may call one hour prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com