Vernon J. Ford

Vernon was born on September 9, 1942, to Clayton Ford and Beatrice (DeGrand) Ford in Escanaba, Michigan. He attended elementary school in Cornell, Michigan and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1961.

Vernon grew-up on a dairy farm in Cornell, Michigan along with sisters Jean and Carol, and brothers Gerald and Dale. Vernon was a natural farmer and could fix anything but, decided that wasn’t his calling and he married Sharon (Meyer) Ford and moved to Sault Ste. Marie to become a technician for NCR, formerly known as National Cash Register, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Since he could fix anything, he became a valued company asset for 30 years before retiring in 1993 and building a home in Rotonda West, Florida, with Sharon by his side.

Vernon and Sharon were married for 55 wonderful years and raised two sons, Scott and Michael. They also had a brief but loving relationship with daughter, Jennifer, who passed away in early childhood but is now reunited with Vernon in a better place.

Vernon is survived by son, Scott (Leanne) Ford of Traverse City, Michigan and granddaughter, Mykala Saytashev, husband Ilyas and great-grandson, Enzo, all of McLean, Virginia; son, Michael (Jamie Wright) Ford and grandson, Chase of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; sister Carol (Ford) Shepherd and husband, Gordon of Mesquite, Nevada; brother, Dale (Ann) Ford of Gladstone, Michigan; brother, Gerald Ford of Arizona; nieces, Linda, Judy and Hayley; and nephews, Henning III, Jeff and Fr. Ryan.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, daughter, Jennifer and sister, Jean Ford.

Vernon was an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend who enjoyed the outdoor life including, camping, RVing, playing softball, fishing and golf. Vernon was a master fisherman from the catch to the frying pan. He was a most enjoyable traveling companion and was renowned for his mesmerizing bonfires. He made a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to master the game of golf, but enjoyed it anyway.

A memorial service to celebrate Vernon’s life will be conducted at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Escanaba, Michigan on Saturday, July 30, at 9:30 a.m. for visitation and 10:30 a.m. for the Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Fr. Francis DeGroot and Fr. Ryan Ford, followed by a luncheon. All are invited to attend. Vernon was true to his faith and we are assured in the knowledge that he rests eternally in a better place.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Vernon’s name, to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.