James Bruce Ford

Bruce married the love of his life, Caryn, on October 27, 1962. They were married 53 years.

Bruce graduated, with honors from the University of Missouri with a B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at Western Electric/AT&T Technologies the manufacturing arm of the original Bell Telephone System, in Lee’s Summit, MO., for 32 years. During that period, he held positions of Associate Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Department Chief of the Environmental Health, Safety and Security Department, Department Chief of the Training Department, Department Chief of the Plant and Factory Engineering Department, Third Shift Administrator, Engineering Relations Manager, and JIT Manager.

Bruce was a member of the Board of Directors of the Safety and Health Council of Western Missouri and Kansas. He was the AT&T representative on the Board of Directors for the High Technology Training Resource Center. He also was the President of the Lee’s Summit Council of the Telephone Pioneers of America 1987-88.

He served in the United States Army Reserve for 12 years, reaching the rank of SFC-E7, and received an Honorable Discharge. He was the Communications Platoon Sergeant and Motor Pool Sergeant.

Bruce was a wonderful, loving father to his two children, Kim and Brian. He taught his children to be kind, considerate, loving and to work hard and do an outstanding job in school and in their chosen professions after college graduation.

Bruce enjoyed going on camping trips and canoe trips with his daughter, Kim, who was in the Camp Fire Girls. He was also, and as a Webelo Scout leader for his son, Brian, and he enjoyed going on camping trips with him. He loved vacationing with his family to Branson, Colorado, Yellowstone and Disney World. For their 23rd wedding anniversary Bruce took Caryn to Hawaii. He enjoyed family vacations to Branson and Disney World, and traveling on a Mediterranean cruise to Rome, Naples, Croatia, Venice, Sicily, Barcelona, Spain, Cannes, France and Florence, Italy.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife, Caryn, daughter, Kim and grandsons, Andy and Jason; son, Brian and his wife, Amy Ford and grandchildren Devin, Dan, Jessie, Zach and Michaela. Bruce was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial services are pending.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO.