Howard Cecil Ford Jr.

Ford, Howard Cecil Jr.- , 86., retired Chief Master Sergeant Howard Cecil (H.C.) Ford died on December 27, 2023 in Knoxville, Tennessee from complications of dementia. He was born on July 17, 1937 in Knoxville, Tennessee and resided in McAnally Flats. Cecil joined the air force as a young man, served in the Air National Guard, and married his wife Juanita in 1956. Their home was in the Sevier Avenue Neighborhood of South Knoxville for more than sixty years, and they were separated only by her death in April 2023. CMSgt Ford retired from the Air National Guard in 1985, as well as retiring from a career at Oak Ridge National Laboratories.

Cecil was a gifted electrician, and skilled tradesman of everything under the sun. He was a Christian whose example shone. He told historical epics and meandering jokes, and was a devoted brother, husband, father, and grandfather.

Preceded in death by his brother, son in law, and many other beloved family, he is survived by his children- Janet, Sharon, and Randy (Connie). For many years Cecil’s license plate read “Ask me about my grandchildren.” Those grandchildren and their families are- Sam ( Kimberly, Isaac, Wren, Elodie, and Jude; Matt (Luci, Miley); Anna (Jake and Veronica); Zach (Lakin, Archer, Atlas); and Emily. They will all cherish their papaw and his memory.

The Kerbela Shriners and the Shriner’s Hospitals were a fixture of life for Cecil and Juanita Ford, please send any donations in their honor to the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children.

The family will receive friends at Berry Highland South funeral home; in the Magnolia Chapel, from 4pm-6pm on January 3rd. Service to follow. Reverend Rhonda Hobbs officiating. A full military service will be performed at 11am the next day, at Berry Highland South Cemetery;in the Garden of Valor, 9010E. Simpson Rd., Knoxville, TN 37920.