David Ford was born in St. Louis, Missouri on Nov. 28, 1939. He was one of six children born to the late Betty Dilworth.
He served 11 years in the United States Air Force. During that stint he traveled extensively across the United States and internationally including the great continent of Africa. At one point of his military career he was stationed abroad at Royal Air Force Station Lakenheath, Suffolk England where his eldest daughter was born. He was also stationed in North Dakota, Indiana, Florida and finally his last duty station, KI Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn, Michigan, where his youngest daughter was born. In January of 1972 he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant (E-5) and moved back to St. Louis, Missouri to be with friends and family.
After completing his education, David accepted a job with AT&T where he worked for 24 years transferring once to Kansas City, Missouri and again to Atlanta, Georgia where he met Alma Shields Jones through a mutual friend. When asked about the first time she saw him, she’s quick to share that he was tall, dark and handsome, just the way she likes them. He was equally enamored and they were married in 2002.
After retirement the happy couple moved to Alma’s home town of Wrens, in 2004 which allowed them to enjoy a slower pace of life. David was a member in good standing at Wrens Chapel AME Church serving in varying roles including being on the pastor’s board, singing in the choir and teaching vacation bible school. During this time he continued his membership in the Gibraltar Lodge #265. Wrens. He enjoyed watching college and professional sports, mastering sudoku puzzles and enjoying great meals and desserts, especially his homemade sweet potato pies.
He was preceded in death by his brother George Ford (CA).
He leaves behind his loving wife, Alma Shields Ford of Wrens; brothers, Arthur Ford (MO), Will Ford (MO) and Walter Dilworth (OH) and his only sister, Sarah Ford (MO). Additional family members who will cherish his memory include his children, Crystal Ford Adams (CO), Heather Ford (CO), Patrick Jones (GA), Charles and Syuri Jones, both of Japan, Tim Jones (GA) and Tony Jones (GA); grandchildren, Kendal Ford, Tasha Adams, Tony Adams, Darius Ford, Abrya Ford (CO); Connor J. Jones and Carenton M. Jones, both of (AR); Ren Jones (Japan), Kieanna Jones Decatur, GA and his great granddaughter, Channing Ford (CO); 8 in-laws, Harvey (Flory) McNair, Thomson, Johnnie F. (Williedean) Shields, Atlanta, Evelyn Murray, Wrens, Minnie Geter, Hephzibah, Eugene T. (Geraldine) Shields, Decatur, Bishop Henry (Bishop Candice) Shields of California, Bunyan (Alice) Shields, Wrens, Wallace H. (Deborah) Shields, Charlotte, NC; a host of many nieces, nephews, additional in-laws and close friends.
David was a very hard-working man who had a beautiful relationship with God, and loved his family and friends unconditionally.
Funeral services were held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Wrens Chapel A.M.E. Church, Wrens, With the Rev. Dr. Cassandra Hill, Pastor, Eulogist and Rev. Bobbie Ford, Presider. Interment was in the Wrens Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Wrens. Masonic Lodge #265 of Wrens Georgia and the Warner Robbins Air Force Squadron completed their traditional funeral honors for Bro.(SSGT) David Ford. Freeman Funeral Home, 402 Curtis Street, Wrens was in charge of arrangements.