STATE SEN. DAVID FORD DIES AT HOME
Family members of State Sen. David C. Ford (R-Hartford City) confirmed the four-term lawmaker has lost his battle with cancer.
According to his Statehouse office, Ford died at home from complications related to pancreatic cancer. He was 59.
Ford had been receiving hospice care and chemotherapy following hospitalization for what appeared to be flu-like symptoms in mid January. He had kept closely atop Statehouse events this legislative session via telephone and computer, Senate President Pro Tem David C. Long (R-Fort Wayne) said.
State senators will observe a moment of silence for Ford at Long’s request.
“Words cannot take away the sense of loss his family and friends are feeling at this hour,” Long said, “but it is important that they know he and they are in our hearts and minds… and that Sen. Ford’s ideas, interests and passions will not be forgotten by appreciative colleagues and constituents alike.”
Ford was tapped in 2007 by Long to serve as Assistant Majority Floor Leader and chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Technology. In addition, Ford was an active member of the Judiciary, Tax and Fiscal Policy, and Education and Career Development committees.
Ford served as Blackford County prosecuting attorney before being elected to the Indiana State Senate.
A Bachelor of Arts graduate of Indiana University, Ford went on to get his M.B.A. at Ball State University and his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from the IU School of Law.
At the time of his passing, Ford served as a board member for Dollars for Scholars and Pee Wee Football for whom he also enjoyed coaching. He had previously served on boards of the Hartford City Chamber of Commerce, U.S. Education Board of Appeals, National Defense Executives Reserve and St. John’s Riedman Memorial for which he also had been elected board president.
Ford was also active in the American Agricultural Law Association, Sigma Iota Epsilon International Management Fraternity, American Society of Association Executives and State Board of Law Examiners Committee. He was recognized statewide in 2004 as a Government Leader of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and tapped nationally as the 2006 Henry Toll Fellow by the Council of State Governments. Ford was honored as a Sagamore of the Wabash by Indiana Govs. Otis Bowen and Mitch Daniels.
Ford is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joyce (Bonjour) Ford; a daughter, Kelly (Ford) Konzel of Granger; three sons, Jeff Ford of Chicago; Andrew Ford of Indianapolis; Matthew Ford of Marion; and two grandchildren.
Services for Ford will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Muncie, Indiana. Details are pending. Memorials may be made to the David C. Ford Scholarship Fund, Blackford High School, 2392 N. State Road 3, Hartford City, Indiana 47348.
Senate District 19, which Ford represented since 1994, includes all or parts of Adams, Allen, Blackford, Grant and Wells counties.
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