Donald Ray Ford, Sr.

Today, we come together with hearts that are both broken and grateful. Broken because we must say goodbye to our husband, father, grandfather, family member, and friend. Grateful because God blessed us with the gift of Donald Ford Sr.’s life and the many years we shared with him.

Donald was born on October 18, 1942, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, to his loving parents, Charlie Ford and Lena Mae Smith. While still a young child, his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he grew up, attended Booker T. Washington High School, and began building the life that would become his legacy.

Raised in a Christian home, his father faithfully served as a preacher in the Church of God in Christ. At an early age, Donald gave his life to Jesus Christ and was baptized by his father. About twenty years ago, he joined The Church Without Walls, where he continued to grow in his faith and relationship with God. His faith was the foundation that carried him through every season of life.

Donald was the devoted husband of Carol Ford, and together they shared 53 years of marriage, building a life centered on faith, love, hard work, and family.

Donald was a hardworking man who believed there was dignity in an honest day’s work. He founded his own construction company, specializing in residential foundations across northwest Houston. For more than twenty years, he built not only strong foundations for homes but also opportunities for more than twenty employees to provide for their own families. He later worked for Hunting Oil for ten years before retiring.

Retirement wasn’t the end of his service. Donald found joy in becoming a bus driver for Successful Starters Learning Center, where he loved transporting children each day.

One of the greatest testimonies of Donald’s life was his unwavering strength. For ten years, he courageously battled cancer. Through every doctor’s appointment, every treatment, every setback, and every victory, he demonstrated resilience, determination, and remarkable faith. He faced his illness with quiet courage and continued to trust God through it all.

One of the greatest gifts Dad gave us was the importance of family. He taught us to love one another, support one another, and, most of all, to stick together as a family.

Donald leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, love, and perseverance that will continue to inspire all who knew him. Though we grieve his passing, we rejoice in knowing that he is now at peace in the presence of the Lord. His life was a blessing, his memory a treasure,and his love was a gift that will remain in our hearts forever.

Donald Ford leaves to cherish his memory his beloved children, Donald Ray Ford Jr., Michael Roy Ford, Buford Terrance Ford, Alisa Hatch, Tammi Jeanette Petite, Kenneth Ray Ford, Andre Terrell Ford, Adrian Lavell Ford, Kevin Ford, and Dionne Rachelle Ford; and his loving siblings, Corella Ford (Francisco) Sherel Brooks of Cypress, Texas, James Terry Ford (Matti) of Oakley, California, Lionel Ford (Mamie) of Dixon, California, Ossie Torgrimson (Jeff) of Exeter, California, Dexter Ford of Alexandria, Virginia, Melvin Ford (Carlotta) of Waldorf, Maryland, and Melissa Sells (Wendell) of Marina, California.