John Ray Alford, Sr.

John Ray Alford, Sr., 91, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully on November 12, 2025, surrounded by family with Willie Nelson’s last verse of How Great Thou Art playing in the background.

John earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from Washington and Lee University. As an undergraduate, he played varsity baseball, a life-long passion leading to his involvement with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

John served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. He had a distinguished legal career as a partner at Caskie & Frost. He served as a member of the Judicial Inquiry Review Commission and was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

He was preceded in death by his parents Daisy Camden and Lirty Forest Alford of Rockbridge County, Virginia, as well as four of his five siblings: Jerry, Iris, Millie and Gracie.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Bettie Thorpe Alford and their beloved children: Susan Carrington Lowder (Tom), John Alford, Jr. (Courtney), and Mike Alford (Alicia). His grandchildren include: Alex Carrington (Brittney), John Carrington (Elizabeth), Stuart Carrington (Alexa), Hunter Lowder (Nick), Heather Lowder, Kelly Lowder (Eric), Blair Alford Absher (Will), Emily Alford Skinner (Cole), Elizabeth Alford (Blake), Sutton Alford (Kate), Ali Alford and Camden Alford. His great-grandchildren include: James, Ellie, Kate, Libby, Jack, Charlie, Max, Cameron, Cataleya, Georgia, Josephine and Shiloh. Other surviving family members include his brother Jim Alford (Peg) and many adored nieces and nephews.

John loved a good story, a clever limerick, and a racy joke, sharing them generously and filling every room with laughter. He was fond of saying, “You are my pony if you never win a race,” an enduring expression of his unconditional love. He also cherished his farm, the Pedlar Inn, where he enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting, and taking his grandchildren for rides on the Gator. He always had a big smile, a full spirit and never met a stranger. John loved to sing at any opportunity, especially with the ladies at Woodruff’s Store. He delighted both friends and family with his jitterbug and headstands at weddings.

The family is grateful to his many caregivers, and especially appreciative of Henry, Joyce, Delores, Dorothy and A. Wayne for their loving support.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on November 22, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg, with a reception to follow at Virginia Episcopal School Student Center.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the following:

First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg, 1215 VES Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503

Westminster Canterbury Foundation, 501 VES Rd., Lynchburg, VA 24503

Omicron Delta Kappa John R. Alford Scholarship in Law, 225 McLaughlin St., Lexington, VA 24450-2002

Virginia Episcopal School, 400 VES Rd, Lynchburg, VA 24503.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.