Robert Jesse Ford

Robert Jesse Ford, affectionately known as “Bob” (87) of Pittsboro, NC was a 44 year resident of Newport News, VA. Bob went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus on July 30, 2023. He was born on September 9, 1935 in Fairbank, Iowa to the late Laurence and Miriam Ford.

He grew up on a farm near Amish country in Fairbank, IA and attended Fairbank United Methodist Church. He was a 1953 graduate from Fairbank High School where he played short stop in baseball. At 18 he joined the US Navy which took him to Virginia where he met his beloved wife of 60 years, Shirley Mae Snyder Ford. He was a dedicated member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA for over 40 years where he served on the board of trustees, finance committee, lawncare, usher and greeter. He also served his community in the bread ministry, the local food bank, Habitat for Humanity, and worked with the Thrive ministry feeding the homeless.

Bob proudly served his country in the US Navy for 20 years on both diesel and nuclear submarines and then worked at the US Department of Defense for another 20 years in Newport News, for Supervisor of Shipbuilding. After 40 years with the Federal government, he retired in 1995 in time to welcome his first grandchild, Samuel David Earnhardt, USN.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mae Ford and his two children – Michael Keith Ford and daughter-in-law, Sarah Ford of Las Cruces, NM, and his daughter, Darlene Renee Ford Earnhardt, and son-in-law, Allison Bryan Earnhardt, of Pittsboro, NC, as well as his three grandchildren – Samuel David Earnhardt (US Navy), Lindsay Anne Earnhardt McNeill and husband Ian McNeill of Apex, NC and Lauren Elisabeth Earnhardt, (US Army) of Pittsboro, NC. Bob is survived by his brothers Laurence “Larry Bill” Ford of Broken Arrow, OK, Paul Ford of Sauk Rapids, MN and his sister, Alice "Penny" Ford of Rutland, VT. Bob was very proud of all his grandchildren and loved each one dearly, but he was especially happy to welcome Lauren Elisabeth into the world on his 64th birthday. He considered his wife, his children and grandchildren as blessings from God.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Josephine Ford Yee, Trudy Ford Lockwood, Florence Ford Sawyer, Barbara Ford, and his brother, John Ford.

A Celebration of Life was officiated by Pastor Todd Hinson of Asheboro First Wesleyan Church, Asheboro, NC, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, Raleigh, NC. Burial with full military honors followed in Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Glioblastoma Foundation, or to Habitat for Humanity, by using the links below, under ‘Donations’.

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