FORD, James (1931-2012)

FORD

Posted By: Don Boucher (email)
Date: 11/10/2012 at 01:03:22

Obituary from The Des Moines Register newspaper, Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa, USA on 5-2-2012:

James "Jim" Ford, a life-long resident of Indianola, passed away in the home he loved on Monday, April 30, 2012.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Marty; and his three daughters, Mary (Jim) Krier, Diane Ford and Jeanne (Gary) Dooley; seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; sisters, Kathleen Cook and Judy (Ron) Gatrel; sisters-in-law, Faye Mark and Mary Ervin Billings; nephews and nieces; and many many friends. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Weidmann and Frank Ford, Jr. and his parents, Frank and Pauline (Machlan) Ford.

Jim was born in the family home in Indianola on May 22, 1931, the fourth of five children. The entire family was musical, and Jim played saxophone, sang, played varsity football in high school, took flying lessons and bought a small plane that generated many stories. Jim met his future wife, Marty Williams from Humeston, their first year at Simpson College and they were together for the rest of his life. After serving in the United States Air Force, he finished his degree at Iowa State University in Radio and TV Journalism. He started his radio career at KASI in Ames, and was recruited by Pfizer, Inc. as a salesman upon graduation, where he received a National Salesman of the Year award. He worked as a salesman for many years at another veterinarian supply company and knew every vet in Iowa. He founded his own successful business, Ford Real Estate and retired after 27 years.

He is perhaps best known as the voice of Indianola, announcing high school and Simpson College home games for 50 years, and announcing the Indianola National Balloon Festival. Jim and Marty were part of the original organizers of Carousel Community Theater, where he acted and Marty made wonderful costumes. He was the Captain of the Noon Lions Club Annual Showboat Review, Santa Claus for various organizations, and won many trophies in Toastmasters. He was a generous man, with a big voice and a big personality to match, giving his time, his money and his talents to the community, friends and family he loved. He never knew a stranger.

After Marty's illness in 2000, Jim took dedicated, loving care of her until the minute he died. He was a model for us all.

Visitation will be held 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Overton Funeral Home, with family present from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5 at the Indianola First United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to Simpson College, the First United Methodist Church in Indianola, or the Indianola Community Youth Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.overtonfunerals.com