of Conway, AR
February 8, 1945 - September 5, 2017
James Milbourne Ford, 72, of Conway was called home by our Heavenly Father on September 5, 2017 following several years of suffering from MS and other chronic health issues. He was born February 8, 1945 in Ada, Oklahoma to Robert and Pauline Ford who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Wanda Ford of Conway; three daughters, Amy Carley, April Taylor and Alisha Ford; six grandchildren Greta, Ladd, and Hays Carley, Emma Clare and Neely Taylor and Avery Ford; his sister, Margaret Roberts of Tulsa Oklahoma; and stepson, Mike King of Conway. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Ford and sister, Lois Price.
Jim had a fun-loving, outgoing personality and grew up hunting and fishing with his father in Oklahoma and Colorado. He was an avid sports fan and never missed watching an Oklahoma or Arkansas ball game. He loved to study the Bible and his greatest joy was to be with people. Visitors were always welcome in our home and he would sit and discuss the Bible for hours. For a few years he led a small group men's Bible study. He loved to sing and was a talented tenor. He participated in several quartets, especially while a student at Central Baptist College, and more recently in the Conway Men's Chorus. He sang in the church choir as long as his health allowed.
Jim began preaching at age 16 and pastored churches for 32 years in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi. He graduated from Central Baptist College, Conway, in 1979 with a B.S. and East Central University, Ada, in 1984 with a B.A. in history. Jim also enjoyed serving as an EMT in Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Memorial services will be conducted at Central Baptist Church in Conway on September 26 at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Don Chandler will officiate. Visitation will precede at 10:00 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Jim's memory to Lifeword Ministries, P.O. Box 6, Conway, AR 72033 or the Central Baptist Church food bank.
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2 Condolence(s)
Suzie Hamm
Saturday, September 16, 2017
We sure lost an angel on earth. Bro. Ford was my preacher back in '72-'74 at Fairview Baptist in Blytheville AR. He made quite the positive impression on me & my siblings. His family had dinners with us, fishing trips to the Mississippi River. He gave my brother his trombone to play in the Jr High & high school bands. What an honor it was for my brother Jimmy several years after graduating to be able to connect & return that trombone. Bro. Ford told us an elaborate story about how family pets rearrange the furniture when nobody's home & invite all their pet friends over for a party. Somehow the pets always knew when to have everything back in order before family returned. Forty three years later we still tell that story...and give him credit. It was such a heartwarming pleasure to reconnect with Jim on Facebook & meet Wanda. You will always hold a special place in my heart.
My sincere condolences to all of the family.
Shannon Black
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
So sorry to hear about Jim. He was a wonderful person and gentle man of God. He will be missed at Central by friends and family alike. Praying for your family.
Shannon, Sherri, and Sydney Black