Born in Wellsville, NY on July 29, 1948, the son of William and Alberta Ford, Jim graduated from Angelica Central School in 1966 and enlisted in the Navy on October 25th of that same year. Jim served with the Navy Seabees in Vietnam as a Gunner’s Mate, reaching the rank of E5, and was awarded a Combat Action Ribbon for his part in Operation Giant Slingshot. He was twice able to get away from Vietnam on R&R, both times to Australia.
Jim enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life, as well as Dutch oven cooking, men’s ministry and other church activities, and taking care of his cattle and horses. He served on the Angelica Fire and Ambulance squads, and served as Angelica Town Supervisor before moving to Nebraska with his wife and sons in 1989.
Jim worked in the agricultural and livestock industries and as an electrician in New York, Kansas, Nebraska and Montana. He retired in 2013, living first in Arizona before moving back to Angelica this past January.
He was preceded in death on March 24, 2005, by his mother Alberta, and on April 4, 2008 by his father William.
He is survived by his sons Ben (Kim) Ford of Seward, NE and Eric (Jill) Ford of Syracuse, NE, grandsons Aaron and Landon of Seward, NE and 4 brothers: Jonathan (Donna) Ford of Angelica, Daniel (Debbie) Ford of Angelica, David (Sandy) Ford of Angelica, and Stephen (Gail) Ford of Lebanon, PA.
Calling hours will be from 3-5p.m. Saturday (August 26, 2017) at the First Baptist Church, 10 Park Circle, Angelica, with a Memorial Service to follow at 5:00p.m.
To send a remembrance, please visit www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com
Brown & Powers Funeral Home of Angelica.
Friends may make memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Angelica, 10 Park Circle, Angelica, NY, 14709.
