Jerry Ford

Jerry Morgan Ford, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at home under Hospice care with family by his side. Jerry was born the 3rd child of Morgan and Arlene (Deitze) Ford on March 3rd, 1950. Jerry grew up and attended school in Amenia, North Dakota. At an early age, his dad put up a basketball hoop in the park on a dirt clearing. His love of basketball began there and never ended. In the fall of 1966 the Amenia school closed and Jerry finished high school in the newly restructured Central Cass School at Casselton. In 1968 the Central Cass Squirrels won the Class B State Tournament with Jerry as their point guard. It was one of the high lights of his life. He went on to play basketball at Valley City State College and was a player on the Hall of Fame teams of 1969-70 and 1970-71. He continued to play amateur basketball for many years, earning MVP honors at the State Tournament multiple times. Jerry also extended his love of the game by officiating boys and girls basketball for 35 years. Next to his family, basketball was the great love of his life. Jerry taught science and touched the lives of many students. His dedication to details and facts made science a perfect fit. He taught school and coached basketball two years in Hope, North Dakota and then moved to Lisbon, where he remained until he retired in 2005. His love of the Broncos and the community was strong and unwavering. During his Junior year in high school he met and later in college, married his best friend and soul mate, Mary Ann Kasowski. He celebrated his 42nd wedding anniversary shortly before he died. Two sons, Scott and Benjamin, grew up and graduated from high school in Lisbon. Jerry's favorite moments were watching Scott play basketball and Ben run cross country. Later, he spent hours entertaining and playing with his four grandchildren, who became so very important to him. After his family and basketball, his next great passion was his lake cabin on Crystal Lake near Pelican Rapids, MN. It was here that he rejuvenated after each whirlwind year of teaching and officiating. He taught his sons and grandchildren to swim, ski, fish and enjoy the wonders of nature. There was never a sunset that he didn't love. Jerry is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Scott (Tara), Fargo and Benjamin (Tina), Grand Forks, ND; four grandchildren, Taylor, Ethan, Carter and Kamrynn; two siblings, Dona (Roger) Idso, Goodyear, AZ and Allyn (LeAnn), St. Cloud, MN. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation: Monday, July 8, 2013 from 5 to 7 PM with a prayer service at 7 PM at West Funeral Home, West Fargo. Funeral: Tuesday at 10:30 AM at West Funeral Home Chapel with reception to follow. Final Resting Place: Casselton Cemetery. Online: westfuneralhome.com Click on the link below to view the video tribute: VIDEO TRIBUTE In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Hospice of the Red River Valley or Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo.