Brian James Fordham

Brian James Fordham, 75, of Canyon, passed away on Monday, March 24, 2025. Services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at Evangelical Fellowship Church in Amarillo with Pastor Blake Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Dreamland Cemetery in Canyon. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Friday, March 28, 2025 at Brooks Chapel in Canyon. Brian was born on January 20, 1950 in Bronxville, New York to James and Joan Fordham. He graduated from Union High School in Union, New Jersey and received his Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. He was a veteran of the U. S. Air Force, serving during the Viet Nam Era, stationed in Turkey. He also served with the U.S. Naval Reserves Unit in Amarillo, TX for many years. It was in Alpine, TX that Brian met Connie Petersen, and they married on December 21, 1978. During their early years of marriage, they moved several times, and he worked at various jobs including Texas Tech University as a ground's keeper, Hidden Falls Ranch in Wayside, and Sky Ranch Camping and Retreat Center in East Texas. Working as a wrangler at the Christian camps was the most enjoyable for him as he loved working with the horses and children, sharing his love for Jesus. He also worked as custodian at the Panhandle Plains Museum and later received his certification for Special Education. He found his calling as a Special Education teacher at Canyon High School for ten years where he thoroughly loved working with the special education students there. Brian was passionate about swimming and loved competing in the Senior Olympic Games. He swam in many state games and in the national games in Albuquerque, NM. In addition to swimming, he also enjoyed being outdoors, gardening and landscaping. He enjoyed hiking and camping in the West Texas mountains including Big Bend National Park, Davis Mountains, and Guadalupe Mountains. One of his favorite hiking achievements was summiting Guadalupe Peak, the tallest peak in Texas. He loved blue grass music and was recently taking lessons on the banjo. Brian was a member of the Evangelical Fellowship Church in Amarillo. He dearly loved the Lord and loved his church family. As a veteran, he was also a member of Volleys for Veterans and the American Legion, and he savored his trip on the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington DC. Brian is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Kamala Fordham. Survivors include his wife, Connie Fordham; three children, Sarah Dunn and husband, Joseph of Amarillo, Tyler Fordham and wife, Kelsey of Los Angeles, CA, and Hannah Fordham of Melbourne, Australia; three grandchildren, Dillon and Nora Dunn of Amarillo and Alfie Stephenson of Melbourne, Australia; sister, Pamela Waldrop and husband, Mick of Dallas; and several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials be to Hidden Falls Ranch, PO Box 136, Wayside, TX 79094.