James Anton Ford
SUN CITY – James Anton Ford was born on December 24, 1932 in Rock Island, OK. Mr. Ford passed from this life to his heavenly home on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. He is survived by his wife, Bertha Ford of 16 years; son, Richard A. Ford (Ann); sisters, Betty Burnett (Jim), Hilda Davis (Benny), Mary Taylor (Joe) and brother, Tom Ford (Billie) and numerous nieces and nephews; three step-children, David Dotson (Anita), Dan Dotson (Tracy) and LaJuana Foster (Phil); two grand-daughters, Stefani Winckler (Clay) and Jayme Palosarri (Jason); four step-grandchildren, Tyler Foster, Kaila Dotson, Lauren Foster and Nicholas Harvey; seven great-grandchildren, Larissa (Blake), Mariah Winckler, Noahlee Winckler and Karlie Winckler; Jordyn Palosarri, Jadyn Palosarri and Jason Palosarri; and two great-great grandchildren, Lexi and Rhett Strain.
Mr. Ford was predeceased by his parents, Rev. Ray A. Ford and Madge Ford; two sons, James Rodney Ford and Steven Wayne Ford.
Mr. Ford moved to Globe, AZ with his family from Oklahoma in 1949. He married Wilma Belcher in 1950 in Safford, AZ.
James loved the Lord and traveled and sang in gospel quartets, including the Old Time Gospel Quartet, the Ambassadors Quartet and others. James was the President of the twenty-five member Country/Gospel/Humor Club in Youngtown, AZ for many years. He enjoyed playing his musical instruments and singing.
He was involved in the Communications Workers of America Union as a local officer as well as being an organizer in other parts of the United States; worked for Southern Union Gas in Flagstaff and provided gas to the paper mill in Snowflake, AZ and surrounding areas. He was employed by General Electric in reconstructing the nuclear power plant in southern Idaho. Jim retired from AT&T (Western Electric) in 1988. Mr. Ford graduated from high school and attended college for two years.
Services will be held at Mountain of Life Church, 13002 West Tara Lane, Surprise, AZ on Monday, the 21st day of May, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. and viewing at 10:00 a.m.; interment at Resthaven Memorial Park, 6290 W. Northern Avenue, Glendale, AZ.
Condolences may be shared at www.menkefuneralhome.com