Gordon John Ford

Gordon John Ford of Flushing, Michigan, died on June 27, 2017 in Flint after a brief illness. He was 84. A skillful woodcarver, lover of western novels and surrogate Santa Claus, John (as he was known to family and friends) was a loving husband, father, grandfather and recently great-grandfather. He was born in Flint, Michigan on September 12, 1932, to Margaret Ursula (McGovern) and Gordon Harold Ford. He was the baby brother of Joan Zimmerman (deceased) of Los Gatos, California, and Margaret Stewart (deceased) of Grand Blanc, and would live out his life surrounded by women who loved him. John met his wife of more than 60 years, Jean Marie Braden, while on a date with two other couples. He was immediately smitten, and arranged to drive her home so he could find out where she lived, which was not considered stalking in 1951. After serving in the U.S. Army in Germany, he resumed his pursuit of Jean and eventually convinced her to marry him. They were married at St. Michael's church in Flint on February 4, 1956. They welcomed daughters Julie, Anne and Beth into the family, increasing the female to male ratio in the household. To allow him a bit of male companionship, Jean suggested he get a male dog. He was a proud graduate of the University of Michigan - Flint, which he attended on the GI Bill. He was a diehard U of M football fan and wore his university ring throughout his life. Known as Gordon at Buick, where he worked for 44 years, he enjoyed straining the limits of the dress code by wearing colorful ties and his Ford tie tack. Gordon worked as a general supervisor at the engine plant and later as reliability engineer. Gordon was an accomplished woodcarving artisan known for his Santa Claus carvings, each a unique masterpiece. These wooden self-portraits reflected his resemblance to Santa Claus. He sported a long, white beard and enjoyed delighting trick-or-treaters by putting on a Santa hat and passing out candy canes on Halloween. In his retirement, Gordon founded the Flint Woodcarvers Club and made many lasting friendships there. He also taught carving classes at the Flushing, Swartz Creek, and Linden Senior Centers. The family would like to thank his doctors and the staff of McLaren Hospital CCU for providing such a caring environment for his final days. He is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years Jean; daughters Julia (James) Edwards of Flushing, Anne (Edward) Stych of Huntersville, North Carolina, and Beth Ford of Chicago; grandchildren Lisa (Ryan) Korby, Caitlin (Nate) McKenzie, Joe (Erin) Stych, Ellen Stych, John Stych; great-grandchildren Harper Korby, Emersyn Korby, Max McKenzie; brothers-in-law Russell (Catherine) Braden and Franklin (Darlene) Braden; and many nieces and nephews. A funeral mass will be held Friday, June 30 at 11 a.m. at St. Robert’s Catholic Church. 310 S. Cherry Street, Flushing. Visitation will be from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Reigle Funeral Home, 5501 W. Pierson Rd., Flushing, and again at church, one hour prior to mass, beginning at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The University of Michigan – Alumni scholarship fund at www.alumni.umich.edu/scholarships.