JERRY RAY FORD, SR.

Jerry Ray Ford Sr. was called home to his eternal rest on Sunday September 27th 2020, in Lorton,VA , surrounded by his family.  Jerry was born in Middlesboro, KY on June 16, 1939 to the late Samuel Ray Ford and Mary Ruth Ford. He grew up in Akron Ohio where he graduated from Butchel high school, class of 1958 and then went onto attend Central State University.

Following college,  Jerry enlisted in the U.S. State Navy becoming a Navy Seabee of which After being honorably discharged from the Navy,  Jerry joined the “Ohio” Army National Guard where he received numerous accolades and awards for his service. Jerry lived with his family in Akron working at the City of Akron’s Water Department, becoming its’ first African American foreman with the Water Department. He later moved to Detroit Michigan in 1977 working with the City of Detroit Waste Water Treatment Plant as a skilled Technician until he retired.   He also united with the “Michigan” Army National Guard where he served with the 461st  General Supply Company and  1072 Maintenance Company again receiving numerous awards, medals and citations for his time in service until his retirement from the Army National Guard.

Jerry lived in Detroit most of his adult life and is preceded in death by his wife, Darrell Ford: daughter,  Sherri Denise Ford Hankton and son,  Damon Duane Ford.   He is survived by,  Rita Ford; daughter,  Deborah Calderon, of Austin TX: son,  Jerry Ray Ford, Jr. of Detroit, MI:  daughter,  Pamela Ford of  Lorton VA;  Sisters, Mary Ann Jones (Willis) of  Syracuse NY,  Emma Robinson (Cleophus) Drake of Akron: brothers, James R. Ford (Evelyn) of New Mexico, Robert Ford (Gloria) of Akron and Gregory Ford (Eleanor , deceased)  of Akron; 9 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

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