John William Ford

John William Ford, 77, of Sanford died on January 24, 2023 at his home with his family by his side. John is the son of the late Robert E. Ford and Ruth (Caulkins) Ford.  He was born in New Bern, NC in August of 1945. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Barbara Gayle Randall.

John served as a Minister of the Gospel since his commitment to Jesus Christ in 1972. He graduated from Capital Bible Seminary with a Masters in Biblical Studies. 

In 1984 John married Cecile (Gagnon) and they have spent the last 38 years together happily serving the Lord Jesus Christ in many ways and many places, including time spent in Romania, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands.

John is a veteran and served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam era. He also worked for United Airlines as an Aviation Mechanic. In addition to his love for his Savior, he loved his time with his family and seven grandchildren.

John is survived by his loving wife, Cecile Ford, his son Eric Ford, and his daughters Mary (Douglas) Phelan of NY, Lauri (Richard) Sullivan of FL, and Cheryl (Gilbert) McNeill of NC. His surviving grandchildren are Jennifer Huband, Daniel Phelan, Brent Phelan, Brittany Phelan, Sarah Sullivan, Baylee Sullivan, and Georgia Sullivan.  Additional surviving family are brother-in-law Dick Randall, nephew Mike Randall, and nieces Ann Grimes, Pam Shepherd, and Kim Randall.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday, January 28th from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 3:00 p.m. with Brother Charles Carter officiating. A private burial with military honors will be held the following week at the Salisbury National Cemetery in Salisbury, NC.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Ford family.  Memorial tributes can be left at www.Donaldsonfunerals.com.