Longtime Times News photographer Bob Ford passed away Saturday at St. Luke’s Warren Campus in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. He died of complications from COVID-19. He was 56.

Ford, who lived in Jim Thorpe, joined the Times News staff in 2002.

He showed the community in his photos and particularly enjoyed covering local sports and following high school athletes through their careers. Ford took pride in putting together the graphics for the players of the year. He also enjoyed taking nature photos and aerial views from a drone.

He won many awards in his career, including a “Best of Show by the Pennsylvania Associated Press Media Editors in 2019.

The surprise award for his 2018 photo titled “Graduation,” was announced at the Pennsylvania Press Conference held in May at the Hilton in Harrisburg.

The judges said, “This is a human moment of unadulterated joy for the graduate and his classmates. Every face in this excellently framed image is focused on the subject and shares that joy. These days we hear story after story about teenage angst - cyber-bullying, addictions, teen suicide - so this photo works as a great antidote to that. This is an image of togetherness, support, joy and hope.”

That year, Ford also won second place for “Tennis Player of the Year” graphic that the judge said “tied all the elements together” and second place for a photo, titled, “Move Over, Betsy Ross,” depicting Tamaqua Area High School teacher Lori Remmel and 52 graphic art students painting an American flag on Stadium Hill as part of the monthlong Tamaqua Remembers tribute, and second place in photo story for “Out of the Woodwork,” about Jim Markley of Franklin Township, who builds guitars from trees.

He leaves behind a wife, Sharon; a daughter, Victoria; a son Tommy, and several grandchildren.