BORN
1936
DIED
2026
John Ford Obituary
Age 89, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at home following declining health. Born on November 18, 1936 in Cortland, NY son on Arthur J. Sr. and Gertrude Boyce Ford. He married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Phillips and have enjoyed 66 years together. They have made a wonderful team raising a family and serving the Lord. John is predeceased by his sister, Trudy Osborn, sisters-in law, Beverly Phillips, Bertha Phillips, and brother-in-law, Donald Phillips. In addition to Mary Ellen, John is survived by their children, Timothy (Vickie) Ford, Big Flats, NY; Julie (Robert) DeGroat, NJ; Thomas (Faith) Ford, Lancaster, PA; son-in-law, Robert (Kat) DeGroat, SC; grandchildren, Bobby (Beth) DeGroat, Luke (Natasha) Ford, Caroline (Jake) Bristol, Kayla (Larry) Liao, Joshua Ford, and JacobFord; great grandchildren, Mason, Lexie, Sadie and Claire; brothers, Lee Ford, FL and Andy (Leslie) Ford, KY; brother-in-law, Arland Phillips; Nieces, nephews and many family friends. John graduated from Elohim Bible Institute, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Lian Graduate Theological Seminary, earned a Bachelor of Theology from Christian Bible College. In service to his country, John served in the U.S. Navy from 1957-1962 on the USS Wrangell Ammunition Ship. John held various employment positions in his long career. Chapin-Owen, Elmira, NY; Home of Onesiphorus, Taitung, Taiwan, 1969-1994; Children's Home, Guatemala 1995-1999; Corning Museum of Glass, 2001-2014; Bethany Village, 2015-2017; along with filling various pulpit vacancies at various local churches. John was a longtime member of Fassett Baptist Church, Fassett. PA. Many thanks to the Bath VA for wonderful help with home care services and necessary medical equipment, Arnot Hospital-Unit 3B, Falck Cancer Center, Guthrie Sayre, CareFirstNY Hospice and all our precious, close friends who were there for us through this journey. Family and friends will be received at Caywood's Funeral Home & Gardens, 1126 Broadway Elmira/Southport, NY 14904 on Sunday March 8, 2026 between the hours of 2-4 p.m. Funeral services will follow at 4:15 p.m. along with military honors. Burial will take place in Woodlawn National Cemetery at later date.
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