John FORD


1947-2015 John "Jack" Marshall Ford, 67, formerly of Springfield, Ohio, went home March 21, 2015. Ford had been in poor health for years, battling kidney disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. But he remained an active voice in the community and local government, where he was serving as an at-large City Councilman.

He was born on May 18, 1947, the son of the late Stanton Ford and Edna (Knox) Ford-Watkins.
He played football for Woody Hayes at The Ohio State University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in social work. He later attended the University of Toledo, where he earned a law degree and a master’s degree in public administration.

He was elected to the State House of Representatives for two terms and was the Democratic House Minority Leader for three of those years.

He was elected mayor in 2001 for the City of Toledo, Ohio. Among his proudest accomplishments were helping to establish CareNet, a health care program for low-income county residents, and balancing the city budget despite tough economic conditions.

He is survived by Cynthia Ford; two daughters, Jessica Ford (David Perkins) and Jacqueline Ford; two stepsons, Ryan Hall and Damian (Kristine) Worthy; two brothers, Stanton Gregory (Luann) Ford and Donald Watkins; "sister", Tracy (Felton) Hopkins; granddaughters, Olivia Perkins and Haley Jackson; special cousin, Marsha Norris; surrogate mother, Mrs. Dorothy Smith; special friends, Wheldon Douthitt, Art Jones, Harold Mosley, Doni Miller and Claudia Ford and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, March 29, 2015, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Warren A.M.E. Church (915 Collingwood Blvd. Toledo, OH).

Funeral services will be Monday, March 31, 2015 at 12:00 noon (doors opening at 11:15 am) at Warren AME Church in Toledo, OH.
Visitation in Springfield will be from 10:30 am until the time of service at 12:00 noon at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Mulberry Street entrance (34 W. Pleasant St.).

Burial will follow in Ferncliff Cemetery, Springfield, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the Ford family requests that donations be made to Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADOP) in Toledo, OH.

Cards and letters may be sent to Ford’s family in care of The House of Day Funeral Service, 2550 Nebraska Ave., Toledo, OH 43602.


Arrangements provided by the Robert C. Henry Funeral Home.