Ronald Ford
Obituary
Ronald Dale "Ron" Ford was born March 6, 1946 in Morris, OK to Donald Dale and Fronia Mae (Reese) Ford. He passed from this life with his family by his side Thursday, July 5, 2012 in Tulsa at the age of 66.
Ron was a 1964 graduate of Tulsa's Nathan Hale High School. He also attended NEO in Miami, OK and served in the Army Reserves.
Ron worked in the Petroleum Industry for most of his career, serving as oil and marketing director of 7-11 for many years. In 1983 Ron and his family moved to Sallisaw, OK where he owned and operated Petro Plains Petroleum and Ron's Quick Stop convenience store. Upon his return to Tulsa in 1994, Ron owned and operated Four Front Petroleum for several years. Most recently, he was self-employed with Sports Turf Management. Ron had a passion for his family, friends, music, horses, and hunting.
Ron is preceded in death by his parents and a baby brother, Jerry. Ron was married to Donna Lee (Hill) Ford for 34 years and is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Kim and Brad Estes, Karen and Rodger Williams all of Broken Arrow, Jessica and Perry Farmer of Tulsa, and son, Mike Ford of Tulsa; grandchildren, Taylor and Greyson Estes, Lauren and Garrett Williams, Kathlyn and Tres Farmer. Ron also leaves his brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Marilyn Ford of Jackson, MI, sister and brother-in-law, Linda and Ed Hawkins, brother and sister-in-law, David and Brenda Ford all of Tulsa, OK and six nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the medical staff of St. John Hospital, as well as Companions Specialized Care Center for the wonderful care Ron and his family received. Friends may contribute in Ron's memory to St. John Medical Foundation, 1923 S. Utica Ave, Tulsa, OK 74104.
A memorial service will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 9, 2012 at Ninde Brookside Chapel, 39th & So. Peoria.
Events
Tributes & Memories
Many of you do not know us. I am Larry's brother-n-law, Marilyn's brother. I regret I did not know Ron beter, having met him only once. But Larry spoke so well of him. My wife and I extend our heartfelt sympathies to Ron's family. John 11:25,26
Michael and Sharon Lemoine
Ron will be greatly missed but forever continuing in our many memories. We thank Ron and Donna Ford for being our friends for 25 yrs. plus for which I will always treasure. It's not an ending to us but a continuance with their family. George and I are fortunate with the sharing love of more memories of life with their daughters, son in laws and grandchildren. We are blessed and grateful that one daughter , Jessica, is married to our son Perry in which we have two wonderful grandchildren from them. I attribute our beginning and continued presence of life to Ron. We love you. Always, Kathy Farmer
Kathy Farmer
Sending you love Ron. Thank you for all the fun memories and good times we had when I was growing up in Sallisaw. Thank you for Jessica and Donna too...our families were always meant to be together. I'll always remember you as one cool cowboy. All our love, Richard & Kirsten Farmer
Richard Farmer
Ron Ford was larger than life. He left a permanent imprint on everyone and everything he touched. My husband Patrick and I (and our children Cody and Paige) will forever be grateful to him for the life lessons and tremendous impact he has had on our lives. Were it not for Ron, I would have never been prepared for the wonderful man I am married to today. He shared with me a book by Jim Stovall, called “The Ultimate Gift�. It asks what you would be willing to do in order to inherit one billion dollars. As I reopen the book to a random page today, it reads, Chapter 2 “In the end, a person is only known by the impact he or she has on others.� God used Ron to impact our lives. In the last decade, I believe Ron grew more comfortable with the Lord and with his true purpose in life. I take comfort in knowing that he had made peace with God and knew where he was going. Chapter 15 of Stovall’s book reads, “In the end, life lived to its fullest is its own ultimate gift. May God bless all who are family and friend to Ron Ford. Remember the goodness in his heart, his laughter, his amazing leadership and coaching skills, his love of cooking, that Road King Harley, reading and crossword puzzles. He had (and was) a true gift and his memory will forever be treasured. With love, Dawn
Dawn