2022. He entered this life on April 21, 1946, in Oakdale, Louisiana, the son of John Henry Ford of
Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Alma Strother Ford of Oakdale, Louisiana.
He is preceded in death by his wife Jimmie Lou Garner Ford, his parents, two sisters Helen Elizabeth McClain and Gaylynn Lynette Price, and one brother Johnny Lafay Ford.
He is survived by his children Martha Kay Downing of Redfield, Arkansas and Kevin Roy Ford (Amanda)
of Ennis, Texas, eight grandchildren Levi and Kayla Downing, and Lukas, Nicholas, Tobias, Rosemary,
Eliza, and Matthias Ford. He is also survived by two sisters Vivian Ruth Redfearn and Dorothy Louise
Carty of Pineville, Louisiana, brother Wade Lafayette Ford of Center Point, and a host of nieces,
nephews, cousins, extended family and friends that include his longtime friend Mike Nemecek of
Norman, Oklahoma.
MSgt (Retired) Ford graduated from Pineville High School in Rapides Parish. He had thousands of
additional hours of continued education, both military and civilian. He served two tours in Vietnam as an
aircraft maintenance specialist. He also served in Operation Desert Storm as NCOIC of Supply in support
of the B-52’s. He earned many awards over his 24 years of meritorious service in the USAF, some of
which include a Bronze Star for heroic acts in Vietnam, five Air Force Commendation Medals, a Vietnam
Service Medal along with a Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and seven Air
Force Good Conduct Medals. MSgt (Retired) Roy Vernon Ford then continued his career in the Federal
Government at Overton Brooks VA Medical Center in supply, retiring after 20 years. He exemplified
excellence in leadership and service to his country and our nation’s veterans.
He was known as a jack-of-all-trades, musician, and sportsman. He enjoyed auto mechanics, carpentry,
playing saxophone, hunting, fishing, traveling, and bird watching. He loved to tease and joke around as
much as he was all-about-business. He was a constant presence in our lives and our memories with him
will be cherished forever.
Services in honor of Mr. Ford will be held Sunday, March 13, 2022 at Hill Crest Memorial, Haughton, LA beginning with a Visitation between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at 2:00 pm, each being held in the Chapel. Interment will take place within the Hill Crest Cemetery.
