For almost 40 years, Alan Ford has reported on Shelby's sport scene as the sports editor of The Shelby Star. The Star commemorates him by compiling testimonials from community members that have worked with Ford throughout the years. High school coaches, athletic directors and athletes reflected on their fondest memories of the sports enthusiast, one even called him the "pillar of Shelby". The Star will miss Ford, but it will not be the last the paper will see of him. Ford plans on freelancing during his retirement.