James K. Ford May 12, 1943 - June 7, 2022

James K. Ford passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, surrounded by his family.  Watching him defy all odds was a testament of his faith, strength, and selflessness.

Jim was born in Layton, Utah on May 12^th, 1943, to Joe and Elvira Ford.  Shortly after he was born, his family moved back to Orem, Utah where he lived close to his Pyne and Ford grandparents.  The fruit orchards that surrounded his home was a great place for a boy to grow up; there was plenty of pheasants to hunt and occasionally a deer.  During summer, he would dive and swim in the canal.  This same canal turned into an ice arena in the winter.  Many black and blue bruise showed up after a game of Old Sow where hockey sticks were really clubs and there was no referee.  During the 1^st grade, Polio was in full bloom and Jim fell victim to it.  For two weeks he could only see his parents through a window in the door of the hospital.  There were a few classes in high school that he enjoyed: shop, agriculture, and welding. His welding skills earned him state honors.

In his senior year, he got a Model A Ford with a rumble seat.  He worked hard to pay for it and loved parking next to another student’s red Thunderbird.  After graduation, he was employed as a welder on an assembly line in Murray, Utah.  He changed jobs to be a pin puller for Union Pacific Railroad.  About this time, he met Gloria, his sister Shirley’s good friend. Soon after he married his sweetheart in the Idaho Falls temple on July 5th, 1963.

He spent 11 years serving in the military where he excelled as a staff sergeant shooting 3^rd highest in the whole battalion.  He was chosen to be on a sharpshooter team.  Shortly after Jim and Gloria were married, they bought a nice new home in Orem Utah where they paid $50.00 a month.

He graduated from the trade school in Provo where he earned a degree to be a master machinist.  After graduating, he went to work at Geneve Steel.  Later, he bought a farm in Elberta, Utah with his brothers and father.  After a few years, they moved to Salem Utah.  When Geneva Steel closed, he went to work at IPSC in Delta, Utah.  After retirement, he drove big rigs for SUVSWD and his brother Bill.  Jim was one of the hardest workers around. He could fix anything and solve any problem.  He loved the outdoors; hunting, fishing, and camping were his favorites but most of all he loved being with his family.

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints.  He especially loved studying Come Follow Me with his sweetheart.

He is survived by his wife Gloria; children, Lisa Pruitt (Eddie), J.D. Ford (Mary), Missy Ford, Mike Ford (Krisi), Jenny Anderson (Jake), and adopted daughter Dixeen Dutson; 15 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren; brother, Bill Ford (Cindy); sister, Shirley Brereton (Ron); sister-in-law, Elaine Ford; and his many nephews and nieces he loved as his own.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Joe Ford, and sister, Jane Robertson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 15456 South 12800 West, Elberta, Utah. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the church. There will also be visitation on Sunday, June 12, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, 587 South 100 West, Payson, Utah. Interment will be in Salem City Cemetery, 965 South 140 East, Salem, Utah.