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| Grandma & Grandpa Ford |
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| My dad Gordon Ford with his father John Ford |
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| John Henry Ford |
Today, January 4th is my Grandfather's birthday. He was born January 4, 1901 in Chamberlain, South Dakota. His parents are Henry Spencer Spellman Ford and Lillie Belle Church Ford. He must have been a small baby because he told his daughters that he was carried around in his mothers purse as an infant. He was the oldest of six children. He only attended school until he graduated from the eighth grade because he was needed at home to help his father with chores on the farm. I am not sure why or when but he went by the name of Jack instead of John growing up. When he was about 17 years old his family moved to Milk River, Alberta Canada. He was a very hard worker in many different areas. Not only on the farm but he also worked on the railroad, for a dray line business hauling water, ice and coal. He also completed a study of mechanics and became a skilled mechanic. He also played the piano.
He was converted to the Mormon church in June 1928 shortly after he married Ada Nilsson on March 2, 1928 who was a school teacher in Milk River Canada. They lived in Raymond, Alberta Canada. While in Raymond Grandpa worked as a mechanic in his own shop and as a maintenance man at the Raymond Sugar Factory. They had three children, Shirley, Marilyn and my father Gordon.
In 1938 they moved to Washington where he found employment as a automobile mechanic and then in 1939 moved to Ogden Utah as a Chief Mechanic and Inspector for Hill Field, later known as Hill Air Force Base. They moved to California in 1956 where he worked for Disneyland until he retired in 1968.
Shirley said she remembered her father "as a quiet, steady man, slow to anger; pleasant and helpful to friends and neighbors, or someone in distress. In the good old days, when we were driving, if we had room in the car and a hitchhiker loomed ahead, he would always stop and give them a ride, or if someone were stranded with a stopped automobile, he would offer his assistance. He was a hard worker and labored long hours doing physical work all his life, from boyhood to your adult, husband and father."
Grandpa passed away quietly the morning of March 14th 1986 at his home in Paradise California.
(Most of this information came from a life sketch by his daughter Shirley Ford Marshall.)
Since today is his birthday I decided to ask my brothers and some of my cousins to share a memory of Grandpa Ford. Here is what I sent and what they shared with me.
I just realized that today
is my grandfather John Henry Ford's birthday which has caused me to
think about him today. I hate to admit this but I am getting old and my
memory is not very good. So I wondered if you would be willing to
share some of your favorite memories of him with me. I remember him as
a quiet man who was slow to anger. Grandma seemed to nag at him a lot
but he always remained pleasant. He was always so loving with me. I
loved sitting next to him because I felt so loved. As I deal with pain
in my hands I remember him always having pain in his knees but never
complaining, which is something I can learn from him. I remember him
being a hard worker and always willing to help his neighbors when they
called. I don't remember him working at Disneyland
but I do remember going to California and going to Disneyland and
spending time with my cousins which I loved to do. I am grateful for my
Ford family and the good times we had together. I am sad that I do not
know more about my grandparents and hope that each of you will share a
memory you have of Grandpa so I can get to know him better. Happy
Birthday Grandpa Ford!
Born: 4 January 1901 in Chamberlain, South Dakota
Died: 14 March 1986 in Paradise, California
Memories of John Henry Ford
By my brother Kevin Ford
My last memory of Grandpa John Ford
was when he was living in Paradise California. He was a happy go lucky
guy. I can't remember how old I was but we were in Paradise, where he was
living. He woke up and cooked us breakfast. I vividly remember him
being bowlegged and one leg being a little shorter than the other so he kind of
waddled like a penguin. He loved cooking pancakes for us which is what he
did that morning. After breakfast it wasn't long until I remember him
sleeping on the couch sawing logs, doing some snoring like all of us Ford's do.
Then Larry and I went for a little walk. Next thing I know, about an hour
later we realized we were lost. We never did make it to our destination. I
think we were going to go get a candy bar or something from a convenience
store. Unable to find the store we kept walking back and forth until we
were lost. We must have been out there for a couple of hours when finally some
boys on their bicycles found us and asked us if we were lost, and sure enough we
had walked by the street that we needed to turn on. We ended up finding our way
back home and that is the last thing I remember which I am sorry to say is
mostly about getting lost more than about Grandpa. I don't have a lot of vivid
memories about Grandpa John because I was pretty small.
Kevin,
Thanks so much for sharing your memories! I can’t believe that I actually forgot that he was bowlegged. I think I went on the walk too. I can kind of remember being lost or maybe just overly concerned about you guys being lost. My memory of younger days is not so good. Which is one reason I was hoping others would share their thoughts. Thanks again. Loni
Memories of Grandpa Ford
By my cousin Darrel Marshall
Grandpa was quiet and hard working.
Grandma was educated and basically the matriarch of the family, However,
Grandma respected Grandpa and listened when he spoke (unlike what happened in
my family). Grandpa was also a head mechanic at Disneyland and we always got in
free and we would always ask people on the rides if they knew him and when they
would say yes, we would tell them who he was to us and usually we got on a ride
for free or went to the head of the line. He was well-liked and respected
there.
Memories of Grandpa Ford
By my cousin Bob Marshall
Yes grandma would nag grandpa. He just took it in stride. Always super nice. I remember one time we were riding in the back seat and grandma was giving grandpa a piece of her mind when grandpa had enough & he argued back. He put his foot down. She soon became quiet. It was funny.
Bob,
I’m glad to know Grandpa could put Grandma in her place when needed and especially that he still did so with kindness. Loni
Darrell Marshall said, “Loni, there is a good lesson in that
for all to learn. Grandma was educated and Grandpa was a hardworking grunt. For
whatever reason she became the titular family head as a Matriarch. However she
respected her husband and his priesthood callings and listened when he spoke;
JR will tell you this has he told me when he lived with them in Long Beach
prior to becoming a Jarhead (Marine). It wasn't that Grandpa was a weak man and
let her run things, it was just the natural order in their household but
respect for each other was the key.”
Loni’s reply, Darrell, I appreciate that perspective so
much. I wasn't around them much and wondered if they were happy together.
Bob Marshall said, They seemed happy to me. Grandpa laughed
a lot.
Darrel gave this perspective, “It is interesting as JR and I
have had long chats about the misadventures in our family and the difference
between Grandma as a matriarch and my Mom who tried to be a matriarch like her
Mom but did not understand the respect aspect. My Dad was an honest hardworking
man like Grandpa Ford but emotionally weak and did not get the respect from Mom
like Grandma gave Grandpa. Grandpa Ford was the same, only not emotionally
weak. He and Grandma assumed certain roles in their family and respected the
other in those roles. I like strong women, maybe why I always had a lot of
liking and respect for you. I married a strong woman, too late I realized her
strength came not from character as does yours and Grandma Ford, but from
manipulation. Grandma and Grandpa Ford taught us a lot by their examples if we
but listen.”
