Jim Ford

| August 27, 2017

Jim Ford died in Pensacola, FL on 18 August 2017. He was 95.

Jim was born 1 September 1921 in Youngstown, OH and grew up in Franklin, PA. He was an Eagle Scout. He briefly attended Grove City College, in WWII served in the U.S. Coast Guard in the Pacific, and was the first WWII veteran to apply to Cornell University’s Engineering School. Jim was featured in a “Life Magazine” story about the “Class of 1948,” the first graduating class of WWII veterans. He married Doris Winter in Syracuse, N.Y. in 1948 and they had three children – Billy who died young, Tom, and Susan. He pioneered sales for a new product, Cutco Cutlery, and in 1961, joined Reader’s Digest to pioneer another new product. In 1967, he joined SI Handling Systems in Easton, PA. Jim then worked as Director of Sales for Brown-Daub Leasing Co.

He retired in 1994 when Doris, his beloved wife of 45 years, passed away. He moved to Gulf Breeze, FL and married Jacque Spirson in 1999. They were active with Kiwanis Club and attended Kiwanis International Conventions.

During his lifetime, Jim was active in Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Kiwanis, and many churches. He was an avid golfer and skier into his 80s, and enjoyed genealogy, all types of card games, especially bridge, and tracking football.

Jim’s friends will remember his wonderful sense of humor, friendly nature, positive attitude, boundless energy, ever-present smile, and good wishes for all. The most important thing for Jim was family, who remember him as an even-tempered and loving father with the highest personal standards, a generous laugh, and eager to have fun. He was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

Jim was predeceased by his parents J.C. Ford and Marie Speer, brother Richard S. Ford, wife Doris, son James W. Ford, and second wife Jacque. He is survived by his two children, six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren: Captain Thomas R. Ford, USN (ret) (wife Nadia) with children J. Clifford III (Beth, children Marin and Sam), Stephen W. (Lara, children Madison and Makenzie), Thomas R. Jr. (Samantha, children Evan and Jordan), and Natalie E.; and Dr. Susan M. Ford (husband Albert Allen) with children David L. Allen and Emily W. Allen.

Memorial contributions may be made to to Florida Council of the Blind or Regency Hospice.

National Cremation & Burial Society of Milton has been entrusted with the arrangements.

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Category: Obituaries