Each of us has our own very unique story with two things in common, a beginning and an end. Life started for me 79 years ago when God laid his firm yet gentle hand on me to let me know it was now time to begin my story. Back then, not many of us were born in hospitals and my story began in a small house on the east side of Detroit, Michigan. There Roosevelt and Carrie Maude (Bruce) Ford welcomed their new bundle of joy on a brisk March 9, 1930 and later decided to name me Carl Ford, little knowing that this would become the first of many in our family. I was Rosie and Carrie’s third child. Prior to me was my sister Dorothy (Ford) Wade (Jack) and my brother Roosevelt Ford, Jr. (Violet) who have proceeded me in death. Following me are my brothers Alvin (Rose), Herbert (Odessa), Charles (Friedel), Sam (Geraine), Henry (Barbara), Roy (Gilda), my baby brother William (Mickey) who unfortunately proceeded all of us in death and my half-sister Delores Thorton.

I grew-up in Detroit, Michigan, attending Norvell Elementary, graduating from Miller High School in 1947, and attended both Wayne State University and Electronic School. In 1951 I was called to serve in the military where I was stationed in Germany. There I taught fellow army service men the basics in education during the Korean war. Prior to entering into the service I had began working for Ford Motor Company in 1947 and later returned once I was honorably discharged from the military in 1953. Later while still working for Ford I began my Electrician Apprenticeship in 1955. In 1968 I decided to take on a second job and started teaching at Dexter School in Detroit where I continued for approximately 12 years.

I met my beautiful life-mate, Mildred Vaneace (Reaves) Ford of 58 years as a young fellow. While I did not know that we would some day become married my wife sure did! At the age of ten she marched right up to my Dad Rosie (the “Old-Man” as we all referred to him) and announced to him that she was going to marry me. You see we only lived a few houses down from each other and had known each other since we were very young. Well anyway, I guess she was right! We were married on March 17, 1951 in Bowling Green, Ohio. The Lord blessed us with three beautiful children both inside and out. The first was our daughter Cheryl J. (Ford) Horn (Terrence), next was our son Carl (Skeeter) Ford II (Annie) and last but of course not least was our second daughter Patricia L. Ford. During the 1960s I became a member of Visitation Catholic Church where our children also attended school. I decided in the late 1960s following the riots that it was time for me to move my family. A couple of my brothers and I found property in the Monroe County area where we all eventually moved in the early 1970s.

Most of you probably know that throughout my life I have been an advent sport fan, with my first love back in the day baseball (I wanted to play for UCLA, but never received the chance). When my son was young I sponsored and coached a little league baseball team for the kids in the neighborhood. My second, which everyone knows probably as a first love was golf. I spent a great deal of time trying to master this sport, but don’t misunderstand I was actually pretty good, ask my son Skeeter. I enjoyed this sport so much I played on several leagues including a couple at Ford Motor Company as well as the Senior PGA. I am also Senior Past Master Redeemer Lodge 53 PHA.

After completing 48 years of service with Ford Motor Company I finally decided to retire. I was fortunate along with many of my other Ford family members as we later became known as “the other Ford family” during Ford Motor Company's 100 year celebration through newspaper and magazine articles, television interviews in addition to having the honor to appear in one of the Ford commercials as well as a documentary that still airs every so often on the History Channel.

For me life has been great and I have few regrets. My children have gone on to have their own children, my very active grandchildren who have kept me young beginning with Carl (Juice) Ford III (Lindsay), Amber (Little Girl) Danielle Ford, William (RamRod) Clay Ford-Walk, Antoine (Slick) Lee Ford, Andrea (Bitty Bit) Vaneace Ford, Corey (Dude) Michael Turner and Cameron (Fuzzy) David Turner. Three great-grandchildren, Raymond E. Anderson, Vannity P. Anderson and Antoine L. Ford II.

Finally, to my brothers, their wives, my cousins and all my nieces and nephews and many, many friends, do not worry because I am fine. The Lord has wrapped his loving arms around me and I am among family and friends. Celebrate each other just as I felt honored to have been able to share in the life of each of you. Always part by saying, " take your time going, but hurry back!" Because during the time that I have had to reflect, there has been one thing I am for sure of and it is that I truly appreciated and loved each of you. However, my one wish for each of you is to allow the Lord to fill your hearts each day with joy. The joy of laugher, light and love, because I found if you do this, no matter what the new day brings you will be prepared.

It is what it is.

See you later!

Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 10:00AM at St. Patrick's Church in Carleton, Michigan on 2996 Labo

From Detroit to Chruch: (approximately 45 minutes)

1. Southfield Fwy (MI-39) to I-94 west

2. Take I-94 west to I-275 south

3. Take I-275 south to exit 8, Will Carleton Rd.

4. Turn right onto Will Carleton Rd.

5. Will Carleton Rd. to Grafton Rd., 1st street

6. Turn left onto Grafton Rd.

7. Take Grafton Rd. to Labo Rd., approx. 5.0 miles

8. Turn right on Labo Rd.

9. Take W. Labo Rd. to church, approx. 2.0 miles

Destination on the left