Jon Rodney Ford

Jon Rodney Ford, of Worthington, age 85, passed peacefully into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on March 28, 2025. A loving husband, father and Papa to many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Jon will always be remembered for his faith, comradery, wit and humor.

Family and friends were blessed with several days of serious, funny and memorable conversations before his passing. We will cherish this and the many memories we have of Jon for the rest of our lives.

Born on August 8, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio, he was the second son of Jost Joseph Ford and Ruth (Armstrong) Ford Holycross. His late brother Jerry was his dear friend. Jon and his beautiful wife Patricia (Hale) Ford graduated from Fairview High School where they made lifelong friends who they continue to see regularly. They were an active part of Grace United Methodist Church.

Jon earned a bachelor's degree from Wittenberg University where he played football and basketball and was president of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. He earned a masters in finance from Rutgers University while working at City National Bank in Worthington. Jon was active in the Worthington Rotary and Optimists Clubs. He then worked as the chief financial officer and general manager at Western Pancake House Restaurants before embarking on his own family-run restaurant, Jon’s Village Junction. It was “The Place to Eat on South High Street” for almost 20 years! He served several years as president of the Central Ohio Restaurant Association and was Central Ohio’s Restaurateur of the Year in 1993. Jon then followed his twin sons into the HVAC business and worked for Columbus Worthington Air and Custom Air.

Jon loved all sports and played competitive tennis at the Continental Athletic Club, often winning tournaments against people half his age. He continued to excel in golf on leagues and with his sons. He continued his walk in faith with an ecumenical Cursillo and as a part of the Worthington United Methodist Church. For the past few decades he had been part of an amazing home church group from Dwell Community Church.

He is survived by his adoring wife of almost 64 years, Pat, who he called Patsy, his four children; Jon Douglas Ford, Susan (& Ed) Hilbert, Joe (& Beth) Ford, Jeff (& Dana) Ford and niece Kathy (& Rob) Boos. He and Pat have sixteen incredible grandchildren; Tonya, Dustin, Melissa, Brandon, Douglas, Cristina, Christie, Sarah, Olivia, Patrick, Preston, Rachel, Mason, Chandlar, Tanner and Libby. They have been blessed with twelve great-grandchildren. He enjoyed all of the activities with friends and neighbors on Haymore Avenue, and his incredible friends from Dwell Community Church, and throughout Worthington. The moments that he shared with family and friends are irreplaceable.

A visitation will be held Friday, April 4, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Immediately followed by a funeral service at Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Cure SMA and Dwell Community Church in honor of this wonderful man, Jon Ford.