James Dale Ford

James Dale “JD” Ford, age 79, passed away at home in Tallahassee, Florida on February 14, 2017. He was born on August 12, 1937 in Saltillo, Mississippi to James Albert Ford and Elon Mae Putt Ford and resided in Tallahassee from 1976 until death. JD played football at Tupelo High School in Tupelo, Mississippi and later in college, for Memphis State, in Memphis, Tennessee as a linebacker and MVP where he acquired a degree in engineering. He worked for MCI/AT&T as an Engineer from college graduation until his retirement in 1998. He was also an avid race car driver in the NHRA from a very young age until the early 2000’s.

JD and Rosa Nell Ford from Pontotoc, Mississippi, were married on June 28, 1958 and had two children Dale & Deborah. He loved Rosa more than anything in the world and was truly devastated to lose her so young in 1998. He was a loving husband to her and a wonderful provider for his children and later, his grandchildren. He always put everyone’s needs first and always made sure his family was well taken care of.

JD was preceded in death by his mother and father; his beloved wife, Rosa; and brother, Charles Ford. He is survived by one son, Dale Ford; one daughter, Deborah (Thomas) Udell; three grandchildren, Nicholas Ford and fiancé, Misty Napolitano; Jennessa (Kenneth) Roberts; and Michael (Jessica) Green; and great-grandchildren, Gavin and Austin Ford; Bryson “Cole” Britt, Shyanne Fenn, Weston and Hunter Roberts, and Caleb and James Dale Green. A graveside service will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at Beech Springs Cemetery in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Revelation 21:4 KJV – And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

John 3:15-16 KJV – That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.