OBITUARY
Doyle Nealy Ford
March 25, 1933 – February 14, 2019
Doyle Nealy Ford was born March 25, 1933 in Port Royal, TN. He passed February 14, 2019 surrounded by the love of his family. Mr. Ford will be remembered as a loving, generous and hardworking man. He volunteered his time to the city of Manchester and Coffee County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Ford worked for Nascar for 38 years retiring as Chief Starter. In Nashville he owned Acme Fire Safety and Equipment.
He is survived by his son Neal Ford, stepsons Darryl Flippen and Troy Flippen; step daughter Dede Sledge; grandchildren J. Jason (Amy) Ford, great grandchildren Judah, Anna, and Seraphina Ford; granddaughter Brittany (Dustin) Beck, great grandchildren Tatem and Talen Flener; granddaughter Brittnai Flippen great grandchildren Elijah and Avery Flippen, and grandson Ryan (Jennifer) Drummond.
Preceded in death by his loving wife of 30 years Barbara Ford, his parents Sidney and Madie Ford, sisters Obera McKinney and Josephine Austin and Brother Millard Ford
Visitation Tuesday February 19, 2019 from ten thirty in the morning until two thirty in the afternoon at Woodlawn Roesch Patton Funeral Home. Funeral will begin at two thirty in the afternoon in Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall. Burial following at Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Services
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Visitation
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
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Funeral Service
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
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Graveside Service
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
Memories
Doyle Nealy Ford
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYDavid Elder
February 19, 2019
Thank You Doyle for all the advice you shared with me in my early racing career. Grateful for the many things you did for me both at the racing events and away. Praying for your family during this time.
Danny O`Neal
February 18, 2019
To My Ford Family,
It's truly a sad day for all of us. Doyle meant so much to so many people. He was always family first. A great father, husband and friend to many. Then he had this NASCAR Nation of friends and fans. When I attended the races as his guest it was truly a experience like no others. You could tell that the race teams and his fellow NASCAR Officials respected and trusted his actions both on and off the track. I was very fortunate to spend time with him in his professional environment that he loved. Doyle always went out of his way to make sure that I had a great race experience. I watched him as he dealt with difficult and sometimes tense situations. He always was calm and fair in his inspections and conversations with everyone. I am proud to call him a Ford Cousin and Friend.
I wasn't at home a lot having spent 24 years in the Navy, but I always tried to get home for the Ford Reunion in August. This was usually the weekend of the Bristol Race and Doyle didn't always get to attend. It was always great to see him when he did make it. I'll never forget his huge smile and a laugh that was his alone.
In this time of great sorrow I take solace in knowing that Doyle led a life to be proud of and that he is now with those of his family that have left the earth before him. I'm not able to be there in person to celebrate his life. Just know that I'll be thinking of all of you in my fine Ford Family and praying for each of you to find comfort in knowing that Doyle is free of pain and in the full graces of Heaven and Family.
Love you all,
Danny and Joni O'Neal
Tualatin, Oregon
The photo is taken at Riverside International Raceway. Doyle was working the starting grid that day.
Lance Oujesky
February 17, 2019
To the family of Doyle Ford:
I am probably one of many thousands of people that fell in love with NASCAR in the early 1990’s. As a kid NASCAR was my life every Sunday. Doyle was apart of that for me and so many others.
I only saw him flag two races before he retired. I became involved in Motorsports several years later, working as a starter (flagman) at Texas Motor Speedway. I always wanted to meet Doyle, but unfortunately never got the chance. But he was one of the earliest influences on me to want to be a starter in racing.
Thank you for being apart of this great sport and being apart of so many wonderful moments. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family in this time of grief, but hope this time is more of a celebration for Doyle’s long and memorible life.
In salute of a fellow starter, I leave you one of my checkered flags that I have used over the past 14 years of my career.
God Speed
-Lance Oujesky
Nella Ford ONeal
February 17, 2019
Didn't really know Doyle very well. Only met him once at the family reunion. my dad knew him well. I am Buford Fords daughter. May the good Lord be with you at this time and always
Buck & Pam Buckholz
February 17, 2019
We met Doyle through his son Neal. We had some fun together. Bobby Allison came to Nashville once and Doyle acted like he was our limo driver. Bobby's face when he recognized Doyle was priceless. Doyle always had a smile and positive things to say about everyone. He will be missed. You will be throwing the checkered flag up in heaven my friend, God Bless!
Stan Hardcastle
February 17, 2019
Doyle was one of the nicest and finest Gentleman I will have the pleasure to have known. I would wave at him from the Racetrack at Nashville and from the Goody's Dash Car. In the '70s, at the Winston Cup Tracks, he would always find me a Car to sign in on. I would go in the Garage and see if they needed any help. Doyle will always be in my Best Memories from the "Good Ole Days" at the Race Track. He is in Heaven now. We will see him again.
Lisa Short
February 17, 2019
Doyle, You were one of the nicest men I ever met in NASCAR, always had a smile and also one of the most well loved . I'm blessed to have known and worked with you. You were one of the staples of the sport and will never be forgotten. I will miss the many stories and adventures you shared. Godspeed my friend
Betsy Tyler
February 17, 2019
RIP Doyle- you were a great asset
To all - alwsys a smile and a story. Everyone was accepted by YOU.
Ronnie Russell
February 17, 2019
With deepest sympathy to the family of Doyle. One of the most wonderful guys I ever met in the sport of NASCAR. God Bless
Clint Riggan
February 16, 2019
I spent my younger years at Nashville Fairgrounds and met a lot of people but I never met anyone more honorable than Doyle. He was race director at the time and I spent several nights in his office after the race waiting my turn to discuss my finish as did others and the one constant I remember is that I never heard him raise his voice to an angry driver that was unhappy with a call he had made during the race. He was always firm and had away of defusing their anger. I was privileged to know him away from the track and considered him a great friend. I will miss his stories that he thought most people didn't want to hear.
Debbie and Johnathon Howell Eller
February 16, 2019
Darell we are so sorry for your loss. When Billy told me the first thing that came to my mind was ,well now he is with Barbara his sweetheart. Billy and I was so happy, 21 years ago, when Doyle and Barbara accepted being Johnathon God Parents, Doyle and Barbara was at our home for Johnathon first nascar race where Earnhardt won his first Daytona race, Barbara said Doyle sent a message to Earnhardt telling him congratulations and that he had a lucky charm his God Son..lol, We will so miss all the stories and adventures and the history that we were honored enough to hear Doyle tell us ,but, I know Papa and Mee Maw are together now watching and protecting over us all. They both will forever be in our hearts. Please let us know if our family can do anything . May God give you peace and comfort