Rose Hill Cemetery, Grady County, Oklahoma

© The Chickasha Express-Star
15 February 2005

James Frederick Ford

Funeral services for James Frederick "Jim" Ford, 80, of Chickasha, Okla., will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at Epworth United Methodist Church.

James Frederick "Jim" Ford was born Oct. 18, 1923, in Okmulgee, Okla., and died on Sunday, April 25, 2004, in Chickasha.

Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Chickasha, under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.
© The Chickasha Express-Star
27 April 2004

James F. "Jim" Ford

Funeral services for James Frederick "Jim" Ford, 80, of Chickasha, will be held Wednesday, April 28, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. in the Epworth United Methodist Church. Rev. Kim Hayes and Rev. Don Horton will officiate.

James F. Ford was born October 18, 1923, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, the son of Rolla H. and Frances [Lothian] Ford. He died Sunday, April 25, 2004, in Chickasha, surrounded by his loving family.

James attended Okmulgee Public Schools and graduated from Okmulgee High School, where he was active in sports and excelled in swimming and diving.

He attended Wentworth Military Academy before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He saw active duty in the Pacific Theater as a B-24 bomber crew member. He received numerous medals for his service, including the Air Medal.

Following his military service, he entered the University of Oklahoma where he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and graduated with a degree in business. He remained a loyal supporter of all O.U. sports.

He married Emma Laura Hulsey on March 19, 1949, in Chickasha.

Jim was in business with his brother in Ardmore, OK, until he moved to Chickasha to join his father-in-law in Hulsey-Cook and Ford Mortgage-loan business.

A third generation oil producer, he formed Ford Energy Corporation with his sons as partners. He was also president of R. H. Ford and Company of Okmulgee.

A dedicated Boy Scout, he attained his Eagle standing at a young age and was a long-time Scoutmaster of Troop 304 sponsored by Epworth United Methodist Church of Chickasha. He was also one of the founders of Chickasha Little League and co-coached the Dodgers team to yearly championship.

He was a former Board Member of Chickasha Bank and Trust and a member of American Legion.

In earlier years Jim enjoyed hunting, golfing, and fishing. In recent years he was very involved with his eleven grandchildren's activities and was extremely proud of their achievements.

Jim was preceded by his parents, his mother and father-in-law, Aileen and Ernest Hulsey; a sister-in-law, Betty Van Arsdale Ford; a brother-in-law, John A. Stewart; and his oldest son, Jimmy Ford, in October of 2002.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Emma Laura; three sons and their families, Rick and Tami Ford, of Chickasha, Craig and Jeris Ford, of Broken Arrow, OK, and Mike and Susan Ford, of Chickasha; a daughter-in-law, Pam Hamlin Boyd, of Chickasha; eleven grandchildren: Brandon and Stephanie Ford, of Broken Arrow, Matthew, Erik, and Andrew Ford, Jennifer and Kelsey Ford, and Caroline, Alexander, William, and Harrison Ford, all of Chickasha; a great granddaughter, Taylor Ryan Ford, of Broken Arrow; a sister, Jean Ford Stewart, of Cedar Rapids, IA; a brother, Ralph F. Ford, of Ardmore; three nephews and their families: James Timothy Stewart, of Norcross, GA, Thomas Ford Stewart, of Shreveport, LA, and William Ford, of Wichita, KS. Also, a friend he considered a brother, Robert L. Cash, of Texas, and the Shultz family, of Amarillo, TX.

The family requests memorials be made to Epworth United Methodist Church, 4th and Iowa, Chickasha, OK 73018; the Chickasha Little League, PO Box 511, Chickasha, OK 73023; The Takedown Club, c/o Tom Simpson, 105 Calder, Chickasha, OK 73018; Chickasha Homerun Club, 104 St James, Chickasha, OK 73018 Steppin' Out Chickasha High School Show Choir, 900 W. Choctaw, Chickasha, OK 73018.

Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.