Joseph Bruce Ford

Joseph Bruce Ford, of Little Rock, passed away October 7, 2004. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Bill and Helen Ford. Joseph graduated from Benton High School, and later went on to graduate from Ohio State University where he was a member of the Ohio State Marching Band, and Stonier Graduate School of Banking. From 1967 to 1969, he was the Senior Examiner for the Arkansas State Bank Department, and from 1969 to 1985, he was Vice President of First National Bank in Little Rock. He started as a trainee in the credit department, and was promoted to Commercial Loan Officer in only six months. He served in the commercial lending department and on various bank committees, including the Directors’ Loan Committee and ALCO Committee. During the last seven years of his tenure, he served as manager of the Commercial Lending Department. First National was the leading business lender in the Little Rock market, and he managed a loan portfolio of over $275 million. From 1985 to 1989, he was the Senior Vice-President of Arkansas Bank & Trust in Hot Springs and was in charge of Commercial Lending. From 1978 to 1990, he was Chairman of the Board of Merchants & Planters Bank in Sparkman, Arkansas. After selling the bank in December, 1990, he became the President/CEO of Central Bank & Trust in Little Rock until 1996. In six years, the bank grew from initial deposits of approximately $20 million to $78 million in stable deposits. Their “hometown” friendly and professional service philosophy yielded our stockholders a handsome 350% return on their investment as the initial stockholders’ equity grew from $2.7 million to over $6.5 million. From 1997 to 2003, he was the President/CEO of the Capitol Bank in Little Rock. He chartered and organized the bank in 1997 by raising $3.7 million in capitol contributed by 33 stockholders. The professional and customer-centered corporate culture instilled in the Management Team and employees was the driving force for the ongoing success of the bank.

Mr. Ford served as a Captain, U. S. Army Infantry, Vietnam Campaign, from 1964 to 1967.

An avid Razorback fan, he also enjoyed golfing, traveling, and thoroughbred racing and breeding.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of ten years, Barbara Myers Ford, of Little Rock; three daughters, Lisa Hattaway of Fort Worth, Texas, Brandy Hildebrand of Memphis, and Courtney Ford of Jacksonville; two stepsons, Michael Hoffman (Erika) of Houston, Texas, and Jamie Hoffman (Allison) of Little Rock; three grandchildren, Chris, Amanda, and Emily Hattaway; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Nancy McDowell of Houston, Texas; niece and nephew, Kristen Poe, and Grayson Liles; and his stepmother, Maureen Ford of St. Louis, Missouri.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 11, 2004, in the Chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 West 12th Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72204 (501-661-9111) with Reverend Rodney Shanner officiating. Burial with Military Honors to follow at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the family’s home, 2208 Windsor Court, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.

Memorials may be made to the Pulaski Humane Society, 14600 Colonel Glenn Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72210.

To sign our online guest book, visit www.griffinleggett.com.