Don E. Ford, 77, of Fayette, died Wednesday evening, November 16, 2016, at the University of Toledo Medical Center, after a period of declining health. He was born April 27, 1939, in Fayette, to the late Stanley and Lela (Brink) Ford. He married Mary K. Moore on April 1, 1994, in Angola, IN. She survives.
A lifelong resident of Fayette, Don graduated from Gorham-Fayette High School in 1957, and fulfilled his passion as a cattle farmer during his adult life. He also had previously been employed at ITT in Archbold for 44 years, from where he formally retired. Don enjoyed his and Mary’s annual camping trips to Canada.
Don proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army from 1958-1960. He was active in the VFW, AMVETS, and Eagles.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 22 years, Mary, are two sons, Robert Ford and Terrence (Jaralyn) Ford of Wauseon; a step-son, Larry Strayer of Delta, OH; two step-daughters, Teresa Jay of Toledo and Lesa (Wade) Jay of Swanton, OH; a sister, Barbara Tadda of New Port Richie, FL; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Susan M. Ford.
A funeral service for Don will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Eagle Funeral Home in Fayette with Pastor Andrea Curry officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant View Union Cemetery in Fayette. Full military honors will be performed by the Fulton County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday from 4-8 p.m., and also on Saturday for one hour preceding the service at the funeral home.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider memorial donations in honor of Don to a charity of the donor’s choice. Friends can share memories and words of comfort with the family online at www.eaglefuneralhomes.com