Kenneth Bowen Ford passed away on March 1, 2007, in Lufkin, Texas. He was born December 19, 1917 in Alvin, Texas, the son of Natalia Wellborn Ford and Henry Harrison Ford. The love of his life and dedicated wife for 65 years, Jane, passed away on November 20, 2006.
Kenny, as he was known to his friends, and Grandad or Beaver as he was affectionately known to his 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Kenneth Ford, Jr. and Juanea of Houston, and their children: Bo Ford, Aimee and husband Chris Byrd, Casey Ford and wife Abby, and Katie and husband Lester Stiles; daughter and son-in-law, Janie and James Slack of Lufkin, and their children: Shannon and husband John Hofmann, Jessica and husband Lee Nester, and Cameron Slack; daughter and son-in-law, Sally and Terry Kelley of Dallas, and their children: Scott Kelley and wife Amy, Allison and husband Ben Murphy, and Sarah and husband Doug Jones; daughter, Blake Ford of Houston, and her children: Trey, Ford, Lee and Amanda Santa Maria. The great-grandchildren are Grant, Emma Jane and Rhett Hofmann; Bo Kelley; Catcher and Molly Murphy; and Barlow Byrd. Kenny was predeceased by his brothers, Henry (Harry) Harrison Ford, Jr. and Frank Goss Ford; and is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Thomas (Tom) Wellborn Ford and Pete Lewis Ford of Houston; sisters-in-law, Blake Stroud Sparenberg of Austin and Mary Salter Stroud of St. Louis, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He earned his bachelor's degree in petroleum engineering in 1940 from UT Austin where he was a proud member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a prestigious service organization, the Texas Cowboys. As a leading member of Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation", Kenneth joined the Navy in 1944 and served in the Pacific during World War II. He was employed by the international oil and gas consulting firm J. R. Butler and Company the day it was formed in 1948. This firm became Miller and Lents, Ltd. He remained active with this organization for over 50 years, and served as President and Director from 1970 until 1987. Kenny lived the majority of his 89 years in Houston. Other than Jane, his loves were golf and study of the Bible. He was a charter member and past chairman of the Administrative Board of St. Luke's United Methodist Church where he enjoyed using his vast knowledge to teach the Men's Bible Class. Jane and Kenny joined First United Methodist Church of Houston in 1998. Daddy was extremely proud to have his family present in Austin when he was honored as a "Distinguished Graduate" from the UT College of Engineering. To further verify his leadership, knowledge and professional respect, Kenny was chosen as one of only six men for membership on the Board of Arbitration for Prudhoe Bay Oil Field, Alaska, the largest oil field in the United States. He is also a past chairman of the finance committee of the Blue Bird Clinic for Pediatric Neurology and he served as a chairman of the Gulf Coast section of the Society of Petroleum Engineering. Kenny was extremely well regarded by friends and business associates for his honesty, integrity and ability to treat everyone with respect. It was truly a blessing for all of his family to have such a gentle, loving and generous role model. He was also a fine example of a true spiritual leader of the home.
Memorial services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer, Houston, Texas 77027 (713/622-5710). If friends or family wish to honor our parent's memory by adding to the Kenneth B. and Jane Stroud Ford Endowed Scholarship in Petroleum Engineering, they can send a contribution (made to UT Austin) to Kelsey S. Evans, Director of Development, Individual Major Giving, UT College of Engineering, 1 University Station C2104, Austin, TX 78712-0287 (phone 512/471-4151) or (fax 512/471-3944); or contributions to help those suffering from Alzheimer's: Pinecrest Retirement Community, Lottie Temple Center, 1302 Tom Temple, Lufkin, TX 75901.
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