James F. Ford, Jr.
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James F. Ford, Jr.

James F. Ford, Jr., 87, of Kittanning, PA, died Monday, October 6, 2014, at his home.

He was born August 11, 1927 in Butler, PA, to James Frank Ford, Sr. and Jean E. (Walker) Ford.

Jim was a lifetime resident of Kittanning and graduated from Kittanning High School in 1945. He honorably served in the US Navy during World War II as a seaman on the USS Shangri-La and USS Badoeng Strait CVE-116. Jim held the post of secretary while on board, as he was the only sailor who knew how to type, and always said that he was the "first one on the ship and last one off." In 1950, he earned a Bachelor's of Science degree in horticulture from Penn State University and was one of only 27 students in the country to graduate that year with a degree in horticulture. In 1949, Jim, along with his wife Martha, began living the American dream by opening Ford's Flowers, Inc. in West Kittanning. Until 2006, he dedicated his life to growing the business and spreading his love of flowers to the residents of Kittanning. Jim was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kittanning, Masonic Lodge #244 of Kittanning, the Syria Shrine, the Pennsylvania Flower Growers Association and the BPOE Elks Lodge #203 of Kittanning. He also was a former member of the Coudersport Consistory and founding member of the Bonello's Steakhouse Circle, where he enjoyed having coffee with his friends each morning and catching up on local news. In Jim's later years he became a snowbird, splitting his time between Kittanning and his house in Islamorada, FL.

He loved being in nature, whether it was growing flowers, spending time at his river camp, boating or fishing. Watching and feeding birds was one of his favorite pastimes and he always kept enough birdseed on hand to make sure his winged friends had full bellies. Jim had a faithful companion in his dogs and was such an avid Pirates fan that he never missed watching a game on television, even if it meant dropping whatever he was doing to turn it on. Family was very important to him and he constantly used Facebook and his iPhone to keep up with the many accomplishments of his grandchildren. Jim will be best remembered for his wisdom.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife, Martha (Boarts) Ford; sons, Jamie Ford and wife, Susan, of West Kittanning and John Ford and wife, Robin, of Kittanning; daughter, Sandra Snyder and husband, David, of Kittanning; grandchildren, Trisha Ford, of Ford City, Jay Ford and wife, Heather, of Kittanning, Kylie Ford, of Kenner, LA, Joe Ford, of Kittanning, Bryan Snyder and wife, Renee, of Bradford, Kelly Holmberg and husband, Michael, of Naples, FL, Marsha Conroy and husband, Michael, of Chevy Chase, MD, and Michael D. Snyder, of Kittanning; 10 great-grandchildren; and caregiver, Linda Crytzer.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Sunday, October 12, 2014, where a Masonic service will take place at 7 PM, at the Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 N. McKean Street, Kittanning, PA.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Monday, October 13, 2014, at the funeral home, with Pastor Fred J. Neal, Jr. officiating.

Interment will be in Kittanning Cemetery, Kittanning, PA, where military honors will be presented by the American Legion Honor Guard.

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James F. Ford, Jr.
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