Marvin Ford

Marvin Ford
Jacksonville - Marvin E. Ford died peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at Prairie Village in Jacksonville. He was born at home near White Hall on July 30, 1931, the son of William H. and Frances Edwards Ford. He married Judith May Tucker on June 10, 1966, and she passed away in 2018.
In addition to his parents and wife, Judy, he was preceded in death by his son, Tom; and his brother, Floyd (deceased wife, Mary Jane).
Marvin is survived by his daughter, Tammi Dewitt (husband Roger); his sons, Timm (wife Nina) and Benjamin (wife Tahnya), all of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Melista Ashbaugh (husband Andy) and Guenevere Ford, both of Springfield; Layna Colclasure (partner Dusty Lieb), Jack Ford (fiancée Cheyenne Burns), and Eden Ford, all of Jacksonville; and four great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his sister, Frances "Bea" Edwards (deceased husband Bill); his brother, James (wife Jeanne), all of Jacksonville; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
He graduated from JHS in 1949 and Brown's Business College in 1952. Immediately afterward (the next day), he was called into the Army and served as a company clerk in Germany during the Korean War. Marvin became an expert rifleman and attended leadership school a quarter mile from the infamous Dachau concentration camp-where he encountered disturbing Nazi artifacts. Many years later, he and his son Ben visited the St. Louis Holocaust Museum.
After his military service, Marvin returned to Jacksonville and began a 37-year career with Anderson Clayton Foods (later AC/HumKo). For a few years after leaving AC/HumKo, he mowed the golf course and drove the senior citizens' bus. Even after all those years, Marvin often said the favorite job he ever had was working at the Illinois Theatre in Jacksonville before joining the Army.
Marvin loved taking his sons, Timm and Ben, to car races-mainly at Jacksonville Speedway and Little Springfield. He especially enjoyed their annual trip to the Springfield Mile, where one year they met legendary driver Al Unser.
Marvin and his son Tom met Stan Musial at the airport in St. Louis.
He enjoyed fishing and took many trips with his friend Larry Lowe, his sons, and his brother to lakes in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Arkansas. He also hunted ducks with the late Clay Kircher for many years-mostly locally, though occasionally in Arkansas.
Marvin's love of golf began as a boy while caddying with his brother Floyd. Though The Links was his home course, he also enjoyed annual golf trips to Myrtle Beach for many years. Until 2024, he played golf several times a week and often followed up his rounds with coffee with friends Harry Lee, Jim, and Rich. He kept active by walking at The Bowl or working out at the YMCA-or both. Over the years, Marvin scored five holes-in-one.
He was also thrilled to serve as a volunteer worker at the Western Open golf event, which was organized by his son, Tom. He carted the players from the practice area to the start of the course. And had the pleasure of meeting Vijay Singh and Scott Hoch
In his early 50s, Marvin became interested in carving ducks. He donated some for charity raffles and sold others at shows throughout the state. His friend Jerry or his brother Jim often came along to help him set up displays. Marvin won several blue ribbons for his carvings and was honored to have his works of art on display at the Strawn Art Gallery.
Marvin was very active in Masonic work. He was a member of the Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite Masons, Ansar Shrine of Springfield, a past Worshipful Master of Harmony Lodge #3, past Presiding Officer of Jacksonville York Rite Bodies at Petersburg, past Monarch of Zingabad Grotto of Jacksonville and served on the Jacksonville Masonic Board of Control (building corporation). One of his favorite things was serving treats from the bus to the children of Camp Courage Day.
Watching JHS sports, especially basketball, was probably Marvin's best-loved pastime. His love for the game began in childhood, attending games with his parents. He rarely missed a home game and frequently traveled to away games and tournaments. Marvin had an uncanny memory for names, faces, and the positions of players. In recognition of his dedication, he was proudly inducted into the JHS Sports Hall of Fame as a Super Fan in 2023.
One of Marvin's most cherished memories in recent years was the Honor Flight he shared with his brother Jim in 2022. His daughter Tammi and niece Amy went along as guardians.
Marvin was also a devoted member of First Baptist Church.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Prairie Village for their compassionate care.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at the Williamson Funeral Home, with Masonic Rites following the service. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of services. Memorials are suggested to JHS Athletics, Shriners Hospitals for Children, or Lincoln Land Honor Flight.
Marvin wanted Crimson fans to know that JHS season ticket seat DK–40 at The Bowl is now available.