Born to George Ford and Ruby Morgan Ford in Akron Ohio, on July 1, 1935 Franklin Ford grew up within the arms of a large loving family that he created each place he called home. After a long struggle with cancer, Frank passed on September 14, 2012 in Kennesaw Georgia.
Grieved by a loving wife Alongzetta, sisters Mary Paige (Eddie), and Ruby Lamb, brother Harry Ford, a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends, Frank will be remembered for his joy, being the life of the party, the game organizer, the favorite uncle who actually played with the children and his generous spirit.
Frank enjoyed two careers, one with the United States Air Force, enlisting in 1957 to serve both international and domestic terms, retiring from the Air Force 20 years later (1977) in Tucson Arizona. There Frank began his civilian career with the United States Postal Office; later moving to CA in search of a better life, Frank found the light of his life Alongzetta. Frank & Alonzetta were united in marriage June 1980 in California.
The Morgan-Ford family often called upon Frank to insert the fun & games, and that he did with enthusiasm and intensity. In June 2012, the children of his brothers & sisters and extended family came together for Game Day in the Park, organizing but not able to attend, Frank put in great effort to bring together family members having moved far and wide whose children did not have opportunity to bond.
His community and friends also enjoyed Frank’s joie de vive on their 25th wedding anniversary family and friends in Kennesaw Georgia spontaneously created a wedding party complete with matching bride maids, reciprocity of the warmth and love shared by Frank with all those who came into his life.
Joie de vive could have been the motto of Frank’s life, whether engaging the babies with a game of peek-a-boo, playing UNO with the children or Bid Whist with the adults he brought joy, energy and enthusiasm to the game.
Lending a helping hand to neighbors, being the neighbor/friend with the truck almost always available and the first one to begin organizing to address community challenges were integral parts of his personality.
A deeply religious man, Frank joined the Catholic Church in 1980 immersing totally into the faith by practice, prayer and policy. But yet if family and or friends were not Catholic, Frank treated you no different, such is the authenticity of his faith and commitment to the people whose lives he touched. Frank was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus, an honor guard with Knights of the Rosary and active church member at St Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church.
Generosity with his home, where many a niece and nephew came to enjoy holiday dinners and stayed until they got their act together, donating and supporting family causes with both money and encouragement, spending time with cousins and children listening to their problems and waiting for the solutions illustrates Frank’s character.
Frank’s awards and commendations include:
Phone calls from Ohio, New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, Michigan and California poured in at the news of Frank’s passing, all places where the large extended family and friends will mourn his passing and celebrate his life. Frank is preceded in death by his parents, sister, Beatrice Autry and brothers, Robert, John and Jerry Ford. Donations in memorial should be made to the American Cancer Society.
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