Thomas D. Ford
Thomas Duane Ford, age 79, of LaRue, Ohio died peacefully at home on Wednesday May 15, 2013 at 3:45 PM . He was born May 7, 1934 in Marion, Ohio to the late Andrew D. and Ruth V. (Baker) Ford. On September 10, 1955 he married Janice M. Smith in the LaRue United Methodist Church and she survives.
Also surviving are three son: Douglas A. (Kim) Ford of LaRue, David A. (Beth) Ford of Edison and Thomas P. (Maria) Ford of LaRue. Grandchildren Andrew (Toni) Ford, Dustin (Ashley) Ford both of LaRue, Abby Ford of Edison, Callie Boblenz and Jameson Boblenz both of LaRue. Great Grandchildren Odessa Ford of LaRue and Noel Ford. One Brother Richard (Alice) Ford of St. Joseph, Michigan. Sister in law Nancy Ford of Delaware, Ohio. Also several Nieces and Nephews.
Thomas was raised in the Ford Furniture and Funeral Home in LaRue; where he worked with his father and brother, he was employed with the Whirlpool Corp. for 40 years working in range development and water treatment plant. Also was self employed in the heating and plumbing business. He also ran a bicycle shop. Later he built Ford Hardware in the late 70’s which later became Ford’s Appliance and Service, Inc. of which he was president. Also president of the morning coffee club which met every morning at the store. He was in the Army Reserves and a member of the Phillippi-Clement post 101 of the American Legion. He was a member of the LaRue Kiwanis Club which he served as Lieutenant Governor and the LaRue Development Corp, where he was instrumental in getting Kiwanis Village built. One of his proudest achievements was petitioning the courts to get the Scioto Conservancy District formed which he served as a member of the board until his death. He was also a member of the LaRue Fire Department for several years, was a boy scout and boy scout leader, and operated the LaRue Water Treatment Plant, served on the LaRue Village Council for several years and also recently as mayor till his health issues. After retirement he and his wife Janice traveled the world to places such as Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, several European Countries, England, Russia, France Germany, Singapore, Bali, the Great Barrier Reef as well all fifty states. Member of the LaRue United Methodist Church. He loved to travel from camping to cruising with friends and family. He also loved to hunt and fish, going to Casinos, woodworking and local history.
Funeral Services will be held Sunday May 19, 2013 at 4:00 PM at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in LaRue. Ministers will be the Rev. Edward W. Fugate and Rev. Tim Pasma. Friends may call at the funeral home in LaRue from 12 Noon to 4:00 PM on Sunday.
Those who wish may make contributions to either Marion General Hospice or the LaRue United Methodist Church.
Remembrances and Condolences may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com.
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home