Howard Ford

Howard Lloyd Ford, 87, passed away peacefully at home in North Kansas City, Missouri, on Thursday, September 27th holding the hand of his wife of 65 years, Patricia (Pat) and surrounded by his five children:  Teresa Sicks, Wayne Ford, Jan Parrish, Julie Ford and Shari Coulter Ford.

While his body failed him later in life, his mind was still incredibly sharp, and he savored every moment with his family and friends.

Howard was born in Clay County, Missouri on March 3, 1931 to Anna Elizabeth and Joseph Franklin Ford.  He grew up on a farm and graduated from Liberty High School in 1949.   Howard graduated from the Army’s Officer Candidate Class at The Artillery School in Fort Sill, Oklahoma in 1952 and served in the Korean War as a 2nd Lieutenant.

Howard married Patricia Belle Blackburn on March 27, 1953 and they settled in the Northland.  Their family grew quickly to five children all of whom graduated from North Kansas City High School.   His children remember him as a mechanically-minded, handy man who could build or fix anything.   He built two of the houses the family lived in.  He rarely missed a play, sporting event or competition and was always a supportive fan but never a judge.   He was very proud of each of his children, their distinct personalities and accomplishments.

In retirement, Howard fulfilled a promise he made to his wife and learned to dance.  They enjoyed the lasting friendships they made in their dance club.  They also enjoyed traveling with some favorite trips to Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Costa Rica and a cruise up the New England and Canadian coast.

He shared a special relationship with his grandchildren and great grandchildren and bonded with them over sports, military service, education, hats, music and sweets.   He was a little more liberal with them than his own children and enjoyed their creative spirits.   There was always a milestone (graduation, wedding, birth) that he looked forward to and kept him motivated.

Howard was a man of faith and was a member of the Beth Haven congregation in Kansas City North, leading the building committee when the church was founded.  He was supporter of their non-profit, Word of Truth.

Howard is survived by his wife, Patricia (Pat) Blackburn Ford and their five children:  daughter Teresa Sicks and her husband, David; son Wayne Ford and his wife, Sherie; daughter Jan Parrish and her husband Darrell; daughter Julie Ford; daughter Shari Ford and her husband Mark Coulter; 10 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anna Elizabeth Eckert Ford and Joseph Franklin Ford and one sister, Velma Ellstrom.