Edward Sinclair Ford Jr.

CYNTHIANA - Dr. Edward Sinclair Ford, Jr., 80, died on July 2, 2010. Born Jan 1, 1930 in Montgomery, AL, he received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1958 from Auburn University. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy Wood Monson Ford, a sister, Mary Ola (John) Gragg; Brunswick, GA and his Father and Mother, Edward Sinclair Ford, Sr., and Sarah Francis Giddens Ford. Surviving are two brothers, the Reverend Dr. James M. (Sally) Ford, Powder Springs, GA, Dr. Lawrence G. (Jane Ann) Ford, Decatur, AL; a daughter, Debra Gaye (Greg) Ford Fischer, Cynthiana and three sons, Edward S. "Rusty" (Ragena) Ford III, Cynthiana, Lawrence Harris Ford, Louisville and Dr. Kimbal D. (Alycia) Ford, Georgetown and two stepsons, Wood M. (Rae) Smith, Claude E. (Maribeth) Smith II, both of Frankfort; 14 grandchildren, Sara Fischer (Andrew) Thomas, Sharonville, Ohio, Anna Fischer, Ft. Thomas, KY, Katie (Bradley) Smith Bennett, Claude E. Smith III, Wood Smith, Bailey Smith, Melanie Smith, Dorothy M. Smith, Lauren Ashley Ford, Elizabeth Rae Ford, Patrick Sinclair Ford, Austen Welker, Mallory Ann Ford and Blake Edward Ford and 1 great granddaughter, Jaelyn Smith. He served with the United States Navy from Dec 1948 until Nov 1952. He graduated from the U. S. Navy C.I.C. School, 1950, Point Loma, CA and the U.S. Navy Electronic/Radar School, 1949, San Francisco, CA. During the Korean Conflict, Ford served with the U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces and was engaged in several amphibious assaults and extractions in Korea, earning several military decorations including 5 Battle Stars and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation. He is a life member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. Dr. Ford was the founder of the Harrison Veterinary Medical Center in Cynthiana and practiced veterinary medicine in Harrison County and Central Kentucky for twenty-five years. After leaving private practice he became executive director of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, an international equine medical research foundation, for 12 years. He was a life member of both the American and Kentucky Veterinary Medical Associations and was honored by the Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association as Veterinarian of the Year in 1979 and received their Distinguished Service Award in 1992. He was named as the 2002 recipient of the Wilford S. Bailey Distinguished Alumni Award by Auburn University. Education was his passion. He served 7 years on the Harrison County Board of Education (Chairman 1972-77) and 17 years in the Kentucky State Senate (1978-94) where he won many awards, accolades and honors and was a leader in championing education. After retiring from the Senate he joined Governor Paul Patton's administration and spent 8 years in the executive branch of government, rising to serve as Secretary of the Executive Cabinet. Funeral services will be held 1pm Thu at Cynthiana Christian Church by Dr. Larry Bishop and Chad Broaddus. Visitation will be from 5-8pm Wed at Ware Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Battle Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 1317 U.S. Hwy 62 East, Cynthiana, KY 41031, Cynthiana Christian Church, P.O. Box 236, Cynthiana, KY 41031 or Indian Creek Christian Church, 51 Waits Lane, Cynthiana, KY 41031. www.warefuneralhome.com