Bobby James Ford
February 7, 1946 - September 10, 2024
Bobby James Ford, age 78 and of Bogalusa, Louisiana, passed away on September 10, 2024 after a ten (10) year battle with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Bobby was born on February 7, 1946, to Macie Pringle Ford and John B. Ford in Yantley, Alabama. After graduating from Choctaw County Training School in 1966, he went on to study Education at Alabama State University on a baseball scholarship.
After graduating from Alabama State University in 1970, with a degree in Education he was then drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Vietnam War, but instead, served in Korea. This kick started a twenty-one (21) year military career. He later settled in Bogalusa, Louisiana as a member of the United States Reserves 344th Maintenance Battalion. Upon returning from Korea, Bobby worked various jobs before landing a role at Crown Zellerbach, “The Bogalusa Paper Mill”.
Bobby was a devoted member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church. He believed in giving back to the community through service. He was a member of the Avenue U- YMCA Board, the Alabama State University Alumni Association, Free Mason, but most dearly to his heart was these three organizations that he loved the most: the Washington Men’s Club, the Bogalusa Little League and the Eleven Point Hunting Club. He was a true leader in every role on the Bogalusa Little League’s Board during his tenure, and loved being the Player’s Agent. As a Player’s Agent, he worked tirelessly with the community businesses and city leadership to relieve the players’ families of financial burdens, allowing more opportunities for young men to participate. Sometimes, that meant he had to bridge the gap! A true sportsman, loving every sport he could find, but he specialized in hunting. Bobby, his friend (Alvin “Eagle” Brumfield) and younger brother Percy decided to create a hunting club with a group of close friends. This is how the Eleven Point Hunting Club began. He lived for Super bowl Sunday to host his annual Wildlife Super bowl gathering, which was an excuse to have a big party for his birthday. Awards were given to the top hunters of the season!
In 1968, Bobby met Margie Lewis during summer school at Harris Junior College in Meridan, MS and later married in 1970. Bobby and Margie were married for 54 years, and from this union they welcomed two daughters: Tamanthea Ford and Teekia Ford Youngblood, a godson that he raised as his own, DeMarqus Walker. They are proud grandparents to five grandsons, Tia’ron Ford, LaQontre Turner, Bobby Youngblood III, Banx Youngblood, and Elijah Turner.
In 2011, Bobby retired after a thirty-five (35) year career at the Bogalusa Paper Mill. He spent his time attending college football games with his younger daughter Teekia and hanging out with his grandsons. In addition, he worked with the Bogalusa Men’s Club, Eleven Point hunting club fishing and calling Bingo at the local bingo hall. He began ushering at his beloved Bethlehem Baptist Church. Bobby was full of life and loved living, and cherished spending time with family and friends. Family was everything to him!
His parents, John B. Ford and Macie Ford McRae and TJ “Daddy T” McRae; five brothers, John Lee, Joel, Sylvester, Percy Lee and Willie Ford; Four sisters, Dorothy Dubose, Ester Lee Ford, Willie Bell Curtis and Marjorie Edwards predeceased him in death.
Bobby was a cheerful person, provider, protector and friend who touched the lives of many people he encountered.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories, his loving wife, Margie Ford , two daughters; Tamanthea “Tammie” Ford, ((friend) Zaboor El-Amin) all of Bogalusa, Teekia (Bobby) Youngblood of Cypress, Texas, one special Godson, DeMarqus Walker of Bogalusa, Louisiana; five grandsons: special grandson/son, Tia’ron Ford of Houston Texas, LaQontre Turner of Bogalusa, LA and Bobby and Banx Youngblood of Cypress, Texas and Elijah Turner of Augusta, Georgia; four sister: Mary Jackson (Ronald Everett) of Davenport, Iowa; Earnestine (Billy) Brown of Meridian, Mississippi; Shirley (Issac) Johnson of Lisman, Alabama; and Lovelle (Preston) Buchannon of Jacksonville Alabama, Brother in law; Thirlow Edwards, Sister in law; Lillie Ford, Special nephews; Johnny(Freda) Ruffin, Elroy (Raechen) Romeo, Frank (Dee) Edwards and Eddie “Chris” Watford; Special Cousin; Michael Harper; Godchildren; Erin Damond, Kelton Johnson, Cynthia Penton, Anita Peters and Kristy Cage and family and a host of nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held at 3-6 pm and family hour at 6-7 pm on Friday, September 20th at Crain and Sons Funeral Home, 809 East Third Street, Bogalusa, Louisiana.
Services will be held at Bethlehem Baptist Church, 837 E. Seventh Street, Bogalusa, Louisiana on Saturday, September 21 at 11am with Rev. Christopher Matthews - Officiating. Interment - Southeast Louisiana Veteran's Cemetery.
Crain and Sons Funeral Home - Bogalusa are in charge of arrangements. Please sign guestbook at www.crainandsons.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in remembrance of Bobby Ford Church Bible Fund to donate pew bibles to Bethlehem Baptist Church, or Bobby Ford HBCU Scholarship to donate a scholarship to high school senior planning to attend a HBCU.
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