James D. Ford

Memorials suggested to Hospice with Heart, Council Bluffs or Malvern Volunteer Fire & Rescue.

James Donald Ford, one of three children of James Leo and Myrtle Irene (Leach) Ford, was born on December 3, 1931 in Lenox, Iowa. He grew up in Lenox and graduated from Lenox High School in 1949. Following school, he attended college in Maryville, Missouri for two years.

Jim and Anne Pearl Lahey were married on September 15, 1951 in Greenfield, Iowa and marriage was blessed with three children, Patricia Ann, Gary Allen, and Michael James. The family lived in Des Moines, Iowa where Jim worked at the Firestone Plant. He also tried his hand at farming for a couple of years. In 1956, the family moved to Malvern, Iowa and the couple eventually divorced. Jim had purchased the service station on Main Street owned by Elman Holden. The old station was replaced with a new building in 1972. "Ford's Service" served the community for 48 years until Jim's retirement in 2004.

Jim and Kathryn Ann (Dalrymple) Stogdill were married on June 15, 1964 in Malvern and Jim's family grew to include Kathryn's daughter, Karen Sue Stogdill.

Jim was a member of the Malvern Volunteer Fire Department and had served on the Town Council. He enjoyed family vacations and camping trips throughout the United States. Jim also enjoyed hunting with his dogs, fishing, bicycling, dancing, and attending the Glen Miller Festivals in Clarinda, Iowa. He was an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan, followed Iowa Hawkeye Football, and had respect for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Jim especially loved spending time with his family, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Jim and Kathryn were married 47 years, when Jim passed away at home on November 11, 2011 at the age of 79 years, 11 months, and 6 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Myrtle Ford; daughter Pat Howard in 2008 sister Mary Ann "Pat" Mayberry and husband Emil; and brothers-in-law Dr. Herman Hausheer and Ike Coughneour.

Jim is survived by his wife Kathryn Ford of Malvern; children, Gary Ford and wife Jill, of Malvern, Mike Ford of Hastings, IA; and Karen Marsh of Malvern; son-in-law Paul Howard of Hastings; eleven grandchildren, Kindra Copperstone and husband Jeff of Hastings, Jay West and wife Shelly of Malvern, Heather West and fiancA(c) Tony Calhoun, and Tom Ford and wife Deb, all of Omaha, NE, Jaime Naig and husband Mike of Urbandale, IA, Andy Ford of Hastings, Adam Ford of Honolulu, HI, James Ford of Ankeny, IA, Michael Ford of Imogene, IA, Rachel Marsh, and Paul Marsh, both of Malvern; eight great grandchildren, Weston, Tess, and Evan Copperstone, Mitch and Zach Naig, Miah Ford, and Cameron Baggs and Darion Baggs; sister Margaret Jean "Peg" Hausheer of Independence, MO; sister-in-law Jane Coughneour of Colo, IA; other relatives and many friends.