David K. Ford

David Kingsley Ford

David Kingsley Ford, of Cleveland passed away at home on December 2nd 2024, living just short of 100 years.

David was born was born in 1925 in Shaker Heights, Ohio, the second son of David Knight Ford and Elizabeth Brooks Ford. His immediate family was the late Dr Amasa B Ford (Cleveland), Oliver M Ford (Philadelphia) and his surviving brother, Allen H Ford (Cleveland). David is survived by his children, David K Ford Jr (Jeanne), John C Ford (Leslie), Susan G Ford and Rikke Wataker (his AFS daughter who remained a member of the family), 6 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren.

David graduated from University School in 1943 then attended Lehigh University after serving in World War II. He joined AFS – The American Field Service as a volunteer ambulance driver and went overseas in August 1943 for nearly 2 years. He saw service in North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany as an ambulance driver, attached to the British 8th Army. His service included ambulance driving, staffing aid stations and motorcycle message runner during battles. His time in Italy included the intense fighting leading to the liberation of Rome. Later, while stationed in France and Belgium, he participated in the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. He was a lifelong supporter of AFS, enjoying reunions with AFS and the other surviving World War II drivers.

David was married for 45 years to Ann Garretson Ford, also of Cleveland. David and Ann came together through their shared love of the outdoors which continued their entire married life. They were avid sailors and sailboat racers, enjoyed hunting with their dogs in Ohio and other locations, and, most of all, travelling to the family cottage on Lake Temagami, Ontario where woodcraft and water sports were enjoyed by all. In this place they shared their love of reading, water, and each other.

Both Ann and David’s families had been visiting Lake Temagami since the 1890s, so the association with Lake Temagami was long and deep.

David worked at a variety of professions at National Malleable Iron Co., Martin Baris Lumber Co., Glastic Inc, and R B Dennison Co where he began a career in sales, representing industrial equipment manufacturing suppliers. He established his own manufacturer’s rep company, Concord Sales, which represented many manufacturers of industrial equipment and supplies in Northeast Ohio.

David’s professional work and many of his hobbies stemmed from his love of working with his own hands, an area where he had enormous talent. In college he built a house for the fun of it with another returning veteran friend. He was a talented mechanic who could take apart and repair any engine he met.  He loved motorcycles, cars, and boats, eventually, restored a 1918 Cleveland motorcycle to running condition. He also restored antique cars and an antique motorboat.

There were many achievements in woodworking throughout his life including felling trees, milling, and drying the lumber to share with his woodworking friends. His most notable achievement was building a cabin in Temagami made of logs salvaged from the bottom of the lake. He wrote an article about this project which was published in Fine Homebuilding Magazine, one of his favorite magazines to read. He delighted in teaching woodworking skills to anyone interested, especially young children.

David was a Deacon of the Euclid Avenue Congregational Church, a Trustee of the Abington Foundation, committee volunteer at the Mentor Harbor Yacht Club, Board Member of the Great Lakes Historical Society, volunteer restorer of the freighter William G Mather, and automobile restorer with the Crawford Auto Collection. He was an active volunteer with AFS sharing his historic war experiences, helping to set up AFS in NE Ohio, and hosting an exchange student from Norway.

David was an example of living an active, curious life which no doubt contributed to his longevity. He is missed by all who knew him. A memorial remembrance will be held at the Wade Memorial Chapel, Lakeview Cemetery at 3:00 PM on Saturday March 15, 2025. All are welcome. The Family Requests No Flowers Please.

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