Louis William Ford

Dear Tad & Lucille...
I can't begin to tell you how much you have changed my life, how such a late life friendship could grow so fast into something so strong and lasting, continuing on with your children, becoming my intimate family. As time travels forward, your spirit will shine through all the little things I have that remind me of you. Thank you. My only regret is not having had more time with you before you needed to go. I'll never regret the wonderful times we shared. I love you, James. 7/15/12

Closing this book, a collection of remembrances, condolences and good wishes, completes a time when Dad's passing has been much in our hearts and minds. But the Book of Tad, for those who knew him, is ever open.

I can imagine lifting the phone, and if I do I hear his voice. I can see us coming into the kitchen to his smile, arms outstretched, hearty voice and favorite nickname...for his sons it was, "Hi Guy." When one is well past one's thirties and hears his greeting, one can't help but be challenged to stay as young at heart as he.

We know Dad waited to care for Mom, postponing his own care, willing his physical heart to match the strength of his loving one. The days and months he shared with Mom those last years, staggered bits of time carved out of a future her body had so limited, were still as unlimited in the joy, the union he and she had made of their lives.

They lived their lives together, and given the limits life gave them as it does to us all, it their vision that was the sole determiner of what they'd do and how they'd do it.

That's the way to live. That's the way to love. That's the way of the young and true of heart. The path one can find for oneself, and share with someone, the someone, else, if one is fortunate and grateful enough.

Thanks, Dad, for charting your path in a way each of us can emulate if we laugh and love and dare enough.

Your Son

Tad and Lucille Ford touched my life deeply and embraced me as one of their family many years ago. I will always remember Tad's gentle and loving advice when I was feeling bad about myself after the purse Lucille gave me for Christmas was stolen. He said, "Honey, you have a choice. You can either remain trusting, open to the world, believing in the good in people--and lose a purse every ten years, or you can choose to be fearful and cautious about everyone. I know you'll make the right choice."

Tad's generosity and vision manifested in a trip to Fiji for his family, to recapture the beauty of the South Pacific where he had so heroically led his men to safety in WWII. This transforming journey showed us all how our perspective and choices can transcend the most challenging of adversities. And, of course, knowing Tad, it was just such fun!

His thunderous, velvet voice echoed with his words of wisdom through the years; and he reached out to me when my beloved husband passed away almost four years ago.

Tad will always remain to me a giant of a man who lived out his love of life every single day. I always knew he loved me, and I will forever hold him in my heart.

Happy Birthday my special friend. Even though I didn't see you much over the past 32 years, you and Lucille were always in my heart. You are truly missed but I know you are with your loved one Lucille and other members of your family. My blessings go to the family.

Can't believe it's been a year but then you always told us that time would pick up even more speed as we got older. And you said to always to notice everything. So I do, in your honor, especially that Osprey I spotted on the way home from the hospital just hours after you left us to be with your Lucy. I think of you whenever I see him now....and I think of you when I can't find him. You are a wonderful part of my inner dialog and a permanent part of my heart. I am teaching my grandson's what you modeled for us, Tad, and James and I are embracing the model of marriage you and Lucy gave us. Hope you are enjoying the view from up there. Is it even better than flying?
Love, Kathie

Tad was a fine pilot. We often flew together in the T-33 jet aircraft that we had succeeded in getting our boss, Maj. General Kissner, to obtain so that we and the other pilots could hone our flying skills. We enjoyed flying together and kidded each other if we bounced a landing. You have many reasons to celebrate the lives of Tad and Lucille.

I met Tad when he called me for assistance with his computer back in 2004. I was impressed with how good he was with the computer and how he only wanted to be pointed in the right direction. He was far above and beyond my typical elderly client.

He'd call me once or twice a year for help. I was impressed with how dedicated he was to Lucille and the lengths he went to so that she could see emails and pictures from her bed.

I'm also sort of a WWII buff and it wasn't until 2009 that I decided to finally ask him a little about his experiences. He didn't go into it much and I was not comfortable pushing him. I went home and searched the Internet for Tad Ford and soon realized that I was in the presence of a true American hero, and a great man.

After reading about Tad, and all he had done, and seeing how dedicated he was and how much he had given of himself for his country and his wife, well, I just couldn't charge him for computer services. Instead we worked out a deal. He shared some of his experiences during the war etc in exchange for my help. I will always remember those conversations and I wish we could have had many more. It was truly an honor to sit there and talk with him.

He signed my book, Revenge of the Red Raiders, in which he appears several times, including a picture of him standing on the wing of the bomber he skillfully crash landed into the jungle.

I've read the book The Greatest Generation, and Tad was the epitome and poster child for that book. Even though he isn't mentioned in it, he starred in it in many ways. They just don't make them like Tad anymore.

Thanks Tad, thanks for sharing your memories, thanks for signing my book, and thanks for all you did during WWII, and after. And more than anything, thanks for Remy!

Tad: Such a noble, brave, quiet hero, I salute you and honor your life, love and service to our country.

Lucy and Tad are together again. I respect them and loved them. The world is a better place becausse they were here. My sympathy and admiration to the family for being so lucky to have had such wonderful parents for so long. My thoughts, prayers and love are with you.

It was my good fortune to have played golf for many years in Tad Ford's group - years filled with great fun and lots of comraderie. However, it wasn't until recently, when I read his obituary, that I realized how much of his life he had modestly chosen not to talk about. His Air Force years were filled with courageous adventures he willingly entered. He was a man's man and a charter member of the Greatest Generation. If he was your friend, you had a dedicated ally who never wavered. I will miss Tad but he will have a permanent place in my memory.

Special time reading with grandaughter, Kendall.

A private chat with Barbara and Dad during a family celebration.

Many people don't know that Dad not only loved swing music, but was an avid swing dancer. When he was in LA in the '30's during the Great Depression, when dance contests were a popular form of entertainment, Dad often took top prize. He loved winning, I'm sure, but mostly, he loved to, as he would say, "Get out among em!"

Tad had a great presence when he entered a room. I had known him all my life (I'm an Air Force "Brat") and have memories of seeing him and Lucille in Spain and US when my Dad was stationed near-by. He truly is of The Greatest Generation! Jennifer Scott

Tad and Lucy opened their home to us many times over the years on Christmas Eve. That's just who they were. The last time, 2003, my son Michael was home from his first year of deployment in the Navy. Tad spent a lot of time that night, talking with Michael about success in the military, getting along with your command, the brotherhood and confidence gained from serving with a unit. Of course, Tad's words made me feel better and his talk with Michael was exactly what that young sailor needed. It is not surprising that Tad knew that. Thank you Tad and Lucy.

I heard many Tad Ford stories long before I met him, and when I did, it was his humor and his warmth that struck me most. And how he took care of his Lucy, even in the small things, like offering her the best place to sit or getting a soda for her from the fridge. Not that Lucy, being the independent woman she was, required being "catered to." Being attentive to her was simply one of the ways he loved her. So, while I know Tad was an adventurer, a warrior, and the best of what we think of when we think of a man, it is his beautiful lifelong dance with Lucy that I will remember most.

Tad Ford fathered many people unawares through his children's influence. I personally received that fathering from his son Lee, and will always be thankful. I so enjoyed the times that I was able to share socially with Tad and Lucille. Always warm and caring. I will miss them both.

A beacon, a beam
A guidepost aglitter
He piloted life
With command and with care

Courage was his
For the taking and giving
His legacy wisdom,
Compassion and love

No challenge too great
No moment too small
He did what he said
Take your fun to the party

A husband, a friend,
A gent and a mensch
A father of three
And father to many

Tad was the best. At age 14, I was going to spend the night at Lauri's house. When Tad and Lauri picked me up, I had forgotten my shoes - which I realized halfway to their house. Tad asked where I wanted to buy shoes! I told him going back home to get my shoes would be fine. I have no memory of any other dad back then who would be willing to spend God knows how much time in a shoe store with two 14 year old girls. He was great. My condolences to the family, and my thoughts are with you.
kathy fitzgerald

Tad - My old, old friend. I wish you blue sky and tail winds for your journey West. Check six! That will be me pulling up on your wing, old soldier.

Today would have been Dad´s 92nd birthday. He never wanted much to be made of this day, or him. Rather, it was always an excuse to be with friends and family and have some fun. If Sox were still here, he´d call. So would Elwood and Don. Dad would read some fighter pilot e-mails, and then Mom would take him out for a steak. They´d be dressed to the nines. What can you say to a guy who spent his life inspiring others? How about what he´d always say to you: " Take a lot, Dad. Take two."

I didn't get to spend much time with them, but so enjoyed Lucille's intellectual force and Tad's warmth and the way they interacted with each other. I've witnessed few relationships where each partner is encouraged to be a full "self" in the context of being a couple, and seen few who clearly enjoyed each other so well.

Though I didn't know Tad well, and not at all in the last 15 or so years, when I did have the opportunity to be in his presence I watched him. Yup, I watched him - because he was a little intimidating for me yet a kind, healthy, loving, wise, powerful, charming, popular, fun, funny gentleman, I kept thinking "the other shoe would drop." That's what I watched for. But it didn't drop. And I eventually believed. And because of Tad's consistency I was able to put another piece into my puzzle. So, now I have wonderful social relationships with men and women and a deeply satisfying long-term relationship with one man. Thank you Tad for that important puzzle piece. Your light will always shine on in my heart.

The world lost another one of the good guys. Colonel Louis (Tad) Ford left us last night. He was the closest thing I had to a Grandpa. He taught me how to surf, make a proper Manhattan, and what true love looks like. I'm absolutely certain that if we have souls, his and Lucy's are together again. Bye Tad.