Franklin Ford

Franklin Delano Ford was named after the 32nd President, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, by his parents because it represented a positive change after the great depression. Franklin, “Frankie” or “Paco”, lived touching the lives of many trying to impart a positive influence for everyone he met. Franklin Delano Ford passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on February 18, 2015 at the age of 81 years young. Franklin was born in Saginaw, Michigan on December 22, 1933 to the late Theodore and Martha Ford. He attended Saginaw High School where he graduated in the class of 1951. Franklin accepted Christ at a young age while attending bible study in the home of his grandmother, Ellen DeGroat, who taught her grandchildren, as well as the neighborhood kids, about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Frank instilled that strong foundation of faith in all of his children. Franklin married his first wife, Rosemary Jackson-Ford, in 1954 and to this union four daughters were born: Roxann, Rosalind, Rhonda and Regina. Franklin was preceded in death by the joy of his life Izora Lucille Ford, his wife of 42 years. To this union, there were two children: finally a son, Eric, and another daughter, Tacarra. Imagine John Wayne, Joe Louis, the Pied Piper, Sandlot, a sports fanatic, history buff and Red Foxx all rolled up into one personality and you have Frank Ford. Whenever Frank went down memory lane, recalling a childhood memory or sharing a historical event, you simply pulled up a chair and you listened as his recollection of the story unfolded. There would be colorful language and a full description of the event and you felt like you were right there. We all have Frank stories and we cherish them and we will continue to share them. Frank’s legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, friends and every life that he touched. He was a “life coach” with a big heart, strong, tough fighter, compassionate, fun, quiet, unassuming man that was always present in the lives of others. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Izora Lucille Ford; his father-in law, William Arnett, Saginaw, Michigan; his siblings; William Ford, Francis Ford, Georgina Ford, Ruth Palmer, Marion Nash and Marsha Ford of Virginia; his nephew, Michael Ford, Saginaw, Michigan; and his great-grandson, Christopher Corbin, Los Angeles, California. Frank leaves to carry on his legacy and cherish his memory, his children, Roxann Corbin (Glenn Sterling), Rosalind Ford, Rhonda (Hugh) Butler, Regina (Stanford) Williams from California and Eric (Canciss) Ford from Illinois and Tacarra Ford of Saginaw Michigan; nine grandchildren, Bernett Corbin Jr., Reneca Corbin, Rosemary Sterling, Denisha Broderick, Dennis Broderick II, Raquel Butler, Hugh Butler III, Reginald Hughes from California, Eric Chandler Ford from Illinois; eight great-grandchildren; his sister, Leona Cofield (Ron) from Phoenix Arizona; brother, Ralph (Lynette) Ford from Houston, Texas; his special nephew, Kevan Ford of Ohio; special cousins, Willie (Sonny) Patton and Jerry White, Saginaw, Michigan; mother-in-law, Flora Arnett, Saginaw, MI; sisters-in-law, Linda Taylor, Saginaw Michigan, Sharon Arnett-Rogers, Columbus, OH, Roberta Howard, California; brothers-in-law, Leopold (Janel) Arnett, William Arnett, Jr., Saginaw Michigan, and Lloyd Parrish, North Carolina; dear friend, George (Lena) Porter; special niece, Gina Ford-Copeland (Willie) Saginaw, MI; special neighbor, Claudia Cooper and a host of special nieces, nephews and cousins. Franklin Ford rides off into the sunset…loving son, loving husband, loving father, loving grandfather, loving brother, loving uncle, loving man, loving friend, forever in our hearts. Funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 721 Johnson Street. Pastor Rodrick A. Smith will officiate with interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue on Monday from 2:00 until 8:00 p.m. where the family will be present to greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m.

Franklin Ford

December 22, 1933 - February 18, 2015