Donald N Ford

1923 - 2017  (93 years)

• Name	Donald N Ford
  Birth	2 Mar 1923
  Gender	Male
  Military Service	World War II US Navy
  Death	24 Feb 2017
  Burial	Mountain View Memorial Park, Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington, USA   [1]
  Person ID	I31037	Tulpehocken Genealogy
  Last Modified	10 Nov 2023

  
  

  Father	Morris Everett Ford,   b. 16 Nov 1895, Lyons, Burt County, Nebraska, USA d. 23 Sep 1958, Spanaway, Pierce County, Washington, USA (Age 62 years)
  Mother	May N Niles,   b. 3 Jun 1894   d. 1 Jan 1990 (Age 95 years)
  Family ID	F11254	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Barbara D Dorfner,   b. 7 Nov 1924   d. 23 Feb 2018 (Age 93 years)
  Children	1. Marcus N Niles Ford,   b. 2 Oct 1956   d. 1 May 2017 (Age 60 years)
  Family ID	F11255	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	10 Nov 2023

  
  

• Notes

  Donald Niles “Don” Ford, born in Tacoma, WA on March 22, 1923 to Morris E. and May (Niles) Ford. Passed away February 24, 2017 at the age of 93. He spent much of his life in Spanaway Lake and Parkland and eventually the North End Proctor area. While attending Lincoln High School, Don was a state swimming champion and worked for the Foss Maritime tugboat company during the summers. Soon after graduation, Don enlisted in the United States Navy and served his country for three years. He was assigned to Air Group Twenty Torpedo Squadron as his aircraft’s turret gunner aboard the USS Enterprise and later aboard the USS Lexington, where he was involved in a number of key battles in the Pacific, including the renowned Battle of Leyte Gulf. For his valor and bravery, Don was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, two Air Medals, two Gold and one Silver Stars along with many other commendations. He was a very proud WWII Veteran and was inducted into the Enlisted Men’s Hall of Fame in Charleston Harbor, SC. After serving his country in WWII, Don enjoyed a successful 40 year career as a salesman for the Standard Paper Company in Tacoma. Don considered all of his customers and clients as friends. Don took pride in always having the “best yard on the block.” He was an avid golfer, playing countless rounds at the PLU Golf Course where he began playing in the 6th grade. Some of the highlights of his retirement years were his daily lunch outings with his wife, Barbara. Having coffee with the “Garfield Geezers” each morning at the Northern Pacific Coffee Shop, meeting with friends at the Tacoma Mall, Westgate McDonald’s and Highlands Golf Course swapping stories. Don had an infectious smile and wonderful sense of humor that drew people to him wherever he happened to be. Don was preceded in death by his pride and joy and only son, Marc. Also, by his parents; sister Alice and brother Morris “Bud” Ford. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 70 years, Barbara; daughter-in-law Rebecca “Becky” (Purchase) Ford; special niece Wendy (Scott) Heiser, as well as many other dear nieces, nephews and friends. The family would like to thank Dr. David Law and Dr. Frank Kim for their wonderful care, kindness and friendship. In lieu of flowers, please do a kind deed for a senior, in memory of Don. A graveside service for Don will be held 2:30PM, Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at Mountain View Funeral Home and Memorial Park. Inscription USN WORLD WAR II LOVING HUSBAND & FATHER

  
  

• Sources

  [S64] Website: Find a Grave [text], https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/183559167/donald-n-ford.