Alfonzo L. Ford

Alfonzo Lamarr Ford, 53, was born on May 26, 1959 to the union of Oscar Ford, Jr. and Faye Maxine Williams Ford at Blytheville Air Force Base Hospital in Gosnell, Arkansas. He entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 3:05 AM at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Al, as he was affectionately called, was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Oscar Sr. and Lula E. Ford and his maternal grandparents Milton “Mitt” and Annie Vanwinkle Williams.

Al was a 1977 graduate of Gosnell High School where he was a member of the football team and the band. He also played the piano. After high school, he attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Al began his career at Southwestern Bell (currently AT&T) in Blytheville as a lineman and transferred to Houston, Texas where he later became a Senior Contract Manager and remained employed with AT&T Network Operations until the time of his death.

Al was an adventurous man. His love of fishing and hunting began at the age of three. He began fishing off of the front porch in Dell when it rained. Al will never be forgotten for having a pet alligator and a snake in the family home in Calumet. He discovered his love for hunting with his family in Brinkley, Arkansas. As an adult, Al spent many days shark fishing on his boat and hunting on his ranch in Houston. Some of his fishing expeditions resulted in trophies, prizes and a television appearance.

He united with Enoch Chapel A.M.E. in Blytheville and later united with a Pentecostal Church in Houston, Texas where he attended faithfully. Al’s favorite book of the Bible was Job. He requested his mother read it to him while he was in the hospital.

Al loved fishing and hunting and wanted to share his bounty with as many families as possible. He was known as a philanthropist of food. Al loved people and never met a stranger. He loved to talk. He will truly be remembered for his goodwill, which will continue to live beyond his earthly life.

Al leaves to cherish his legacy of life and love, his parents, Oscar and Faye Maxine Ford of Calumet, Arkansas, a loving sister Armetris L. Ford and fiancé Harry Clay of Atlanta, Georgia, a daughter Nayana Monique Ford Guyton of Memphis, Tennessee, sisters by choice, Jacqueline Burton, Martha Jefferson, Cindy McGhee and Sharon Pfeffer and brothers by choice, Frank Jefferson, Rufus Lawshea, DDS, James Erickson, Bob McGhee, Kevin Pfeffer James Sunwoo, John Nash, Terry Rawlins and Nick Blumer in addition to a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and other relatives.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Tuesday, October 16, 2012 beginning at six o’clock in the evening in the Chapel of Pat H. Foley & Company with the Celebration of Alfonzo’s Life commencing promptly at seven o’clock in the evening. In lieu of customary remembrances, donations to the charity of your choice in honor of Alfonzo Lamarr Ford is encouraged.