Remembering Grandpa John Henry Ford 1901-1986

Grandma & Grandpa Ford

My dad Gordon Ford with his father John Ford

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.”