Alvin Jordan Ford (Lt. Col. Ret.) 1934 - 2017

FORD, WHICHER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/13/2017 at 08:06:36

Sioux City Journal
26 FEBRUARY 2017

SIOUX CITY | Alvin Jordan Ford (Lt. Col. Ret.), 82, of Sioux City, returned to God on Feb. 23, 2017.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at Morningside Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 4. A private interment will be held. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Mr. Ford was born on Oct. 9, 1934, in Sioux City, the second son of Burton and Margaret Ford. He attended elementary school is Sioux City, then high school at Shattuck Military School in Faribault, Minn. He then attended the University of Nebraska, graduating in 1957. He entered the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lt. (Armor), was promoted to 1st Lt. and served on active duty until 1959. He returned to Sioux City and entered the Iowa National Guard in 1961. He was promoted to Captain, then entered the U.S. Army Reserve, was promoted to Major and retired as a Lt. Col in 1978.

He married his best friend, Hellen Colleen Whicher on Sept. 21, 1957. They were blessed with four wonderful children, Mary Schiermann, Carol Ford, Steven Ford and Douglas Ford. His beloved wife preceded him in death in 2004. He was a member of Morningside Lutheran Church when he died.

After his release from active duty in 1959, the family returned to Sioux City. He became a claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance and the family moved to Chariton, Iowa. In 1968, Mr. Ford became an adjuster for Employers Mutual, was promoted to Claims Supervisor and the family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. In 1971, the family moved back to Sioux City, and he attended Law School at the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1974 with a Juris Doctor degree. He practiced law in Sioux City with his father-in-law, Frank Whicher until Frank's retirement in 1982. Mr. Ford went on to partner with other attorneys until 1991, when he opened his own office as a sole practitioner until his retirement in December 2003.

Mr. Ford enjoyed tennis in his younger years and was a passionate golfer throughout his adult life. He was also deeply devoted to his favorite football teams, the Iowa Hawkeyes and the University of Nebraska Huskers. He was a member of the Iowa Bar Association and Woodbury County Bar Association until retirement. He was also a member of the Abu Bekr Shrine Temple and sang with the Shrine Chanters for 34 years, retiring in 2011. He delighted in telling other singers that anyone can sing second tenor, baritone or bass, but it takes a "man" to sing 1st tenor.

Survivors include daughter, Mary Schiermann of Clanton, Ala., with husband, Mike and grandson, Jacob and wife, Lauren; daughter, Carol Ford of Milan, Minn.; son, Steven Ford and wife, Nancy of Sioux City; and son, Douglas Ford and wife, Tracy and granddaughter, Isabelle and grandson, Ethan of Sioux City; second cousin, Mary Beth McCorkindale; and several nieces.

Mr. Ford was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife; brother, William; and grandson, Parker Douglas Ford.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Abu Bekr Transportation Fund, 820 Nebraska St., Sioux City, IA.