Ronald F. Ford

Date of Death: March 19, 2011

Ronald F. Ford, 72, of West Lafayette, died unexpectedly at 8:06 p.m. Saturday, March 19, 2011, at his residence.
He was born April 4, 1938, in Independence, to the late Thomas and Thelma Kerst Ford, and was raised by his step father Lester Johnson who also preceded him in death.
He graduated from Boswell High School in 1956.
On August 14, 1960, he married Kate Tarter in Boswell. She survives.
Ronald was a career firefighter beginning at Purdue in 1964. He started working on the West Lafayette Fire Department in 1969, retiring as Chief in 2004 after 35 years. He was currently employed at SIA as a fire safety officer.
Ron&s pride and joy was his grandchildren and watching them play ball, followed closely by his classic Mustang.
Surviving along with his spouse are 2 sons Tim Ford (wife: Lisa) and Todd Ford (wife: Mary) both of Lafayette; and a brother, Don Ford (wife: Barb) of Florida.
Also surviving are 5 grandchildren Sean, Kaitlyn, Amanda, Kyle, and Cole; and a great grandchild, Rhyon.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Norman Ford.
Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, 2011, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel with a funeral service at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, Ind., 47909 with Rev. Dr. Jacob Hoffman officiating. Burial will follow at Meadow View Cemetery in Lafayette.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute to McCutcheon Summer Baseball at 4951 US 231 S. Lafayette 47909.

Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc.

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To the Ford Family:

I want you to know how sorry I am for the loss of your family member. I can&t imagine how hard it must have been to have it happen so suddenly. I am thinking about all of you.

Sincerely,
Barbara Stansbury

It was a pleasure to see Ron as our patient as he was always upbeat, cheerful, and in good spirits. We enjoy Ron sharing his photos of his Mustang with us and were saddened to hear of his death.

Please except our condolences,
Dr Robin Sheets and Staff

Dear Katie,Tim and Todd ,
Please know how very sorry I am about you losing your wonderful husband and great dad ,It&s a such a sad time for all of you,each in a different way . Just know that God will heal your pain in time . When my dad died and people told me that all I could think of was i just want him back, but know I realize he is in a much better place .May you all find Gods peace and love in your hearts and know that time will heal the pain. Love Always,
Gayle

Dear Kate, Tim, and Todd I&m very sorry for your loss. Ron was a hell of a guy and I know I&ll miss his smiling face when we would run into each other. I&m sorry that I could not make to the visitation but I sure will be thinking of you all. If there is anything you folks need just give me a call. Charlie

I had known Ron during my years with the Lafayette Fire Department and worked with him on a number of county committees as well as the Indiana State Fire School at Lafayette. I considered Ron a good friend who was a valuable resource during my years as deputy chief. He was a well-respected member of the public safety community within Tippecanoe County and throughout Indiana, whom I&m sure will be sorely missed by all with whom he worked during and after his time as chief.

My very sincere condolences to his family for his loss.

Dennis L. McElhoe
Fort Mill, South Carolina

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

I worked with Ron for several years with the City of West Lafayette and also sureyed part-time with him.

I always found Ron to be a fair and honest gentlemen.

Many years later, he and my son, Trent, met while working at Subaru.

My condolences to his family.

Bill

Kate & Family,

Our sincere condolences for your loss. May the memories always shine through the hard times. Prayers and blessings are with you all.

Peggy & Bill Hoover & Jennifer, Monica, Samuel

Kate,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. I cannot be there in person; but my heart and thoughts are with you.

So sorry kate about Ron,I worked with him at purdue fire maney years ago,and he got me started working at Lafayette Printing co, I ended working, and worked 20 years there, also 20 years on lafayette Fire dept. and live in florida 23 years ,anyway so sorry about Ron,,,,god bless jack

Ron was a joy to talk with. We attended the Tippecanoe Emergency Service Committee together. Believe he was the chairman more than once. He talked often of family, always with a smile. May God give you comfort at this time of loss and in the days to come.

Richard Lofland
Lauramie Twp. Fire Dept.
Stockwell

Dear family of Ron Ford,
My sympathy to Mrs. Ford and the Ford family on the loss of a very beloved person who dedicated his life as a husband, father, brother, and grandfather. I am remembering the Ford familly in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

My acquaintance with Ron was through his service to his community. I became friends with Ron before his retirement as we both were active representing our employers in the Greater Lafayette Area Safety Council. I also worked with Ron in conducting some natural gas safety training with the West Lafayette Fire Dept. In my professional acquaintance with Ron he impressed me as a very humble, soft-spoken and highly respected leader with a sense of humor. Ron was very cordial and easy to approach. I am so sorry to see this wonderful person leave the community after all that he has contributed to it for over 40 years. I&m sure he will be missed very greatly by his family. Thank you for sharing him with the community!

Lawrence Record
Vectren Energy Delivery
Lafayette Operations

Tim and Todd and families- so sorry for your loss. Now is a very difficult time for you- your Dad will be missed at the ballgames I&m sure. The last time I spoke to him he was getting a picture framed of one of the boys- he was so proud and I know he enjoyed his time with the grandkids-

Dear Katie and Family,
I was so sorry to learn of Ron&s death. My heart goes out to you and the family. May you rest in the peace and comfort that only God can give at this time.
Love,
Becky

I worked with Katie at Payless for many years...I am so sorry for your loss.
God Bless

Kate, I was so sadden to read of your husband&s passing. I remember the one time I met him, that I was in awe that he was the Fire Chief yet he was so kind and didn&t care that I worked at Payless. Please know that you are in my prayers and thoughts.
Donna

To the Ford Family,
Our prayers and hugs to you in your time of loss. Your Father(and Grandfather) would have a smile on his face when we would see him at Kaitlyn&s games.
A few times we would see him at car shows with the great looking Mustang.
If any of you need a hug we are here for you.

God Bless,
Teresa and Emily Mundell and Travis Tarter

Kate,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I was reading the obits and I said wow. Shocked me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family through this rough time.
Good bless and take care

To the Ford Family(Kate, Tim, and Todd),
I was saddened to the hear about the sudden passage of Ron. On behalf of the Smith Family(Mick, Carole, Tim, Tammy and myself Tony) our hearts and prayers go out to you. Ron was a great man and good civil servent to the West Lafayette community and will be sorely missed. Having grown up in the neighborhood with your family, it was an honor to know him. Words cant do justice at this time but he will long be remembered by myself and my family. God rest his soul

Best Regards,
Tony Smith

Katie (and family),

We are so saddened to hear of Ron&s passing. He was a great guy and you were blessed in your years together. Larry so enjoyed talking with him last year at the Fire House for our 50th Alumni. Our hearts go out to you and your family. God bless.

Donna and Larry

To the Ford family
You are in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Ford will be missed.

The staff of
U.S Security Associates, Inc.

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

To the family of Ron Ford:

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May God hold you in the palm of his hand and help you deal with the loss of Ron. He will greatly be missed here in Security at SIA. I had the pleasure of being his shift leader here at SIA and he always had a smile on his face and was always joking with me. I will miss him and his smile. May you rest in peace Ron. God Bless the family.

My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow. I will miss Ron deeply, he always had a paper with everything I needed to do ready to hand me when I came to work and he was always glad to see me because then he could go home. He loved you all so much. In the summer all he would talk about was going to the the kids games he really enjoyed that. Ron will be sadly missed by many.

We were so very sad to hear of Ron&s passing. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Kate, Tim and family, Todd and family --

My thoughts and prayers and with all of you. Ronnie has been a wonderful brother-in-law to me for over 50 years and I will miss him very much. He always had a smile and a hug for me, and for that I&m grateful. You have some really tough time ahead of you, but you have family and friends around you who will help you get through the hard times. Remember, I&m just a phone call away and I&m happy to talk with you or just listen to you.

My love to all of you,
Chris

Katie,
I&m thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.

Love, Joan

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.