Richard L. Ford passed away May 17, 2018, in Houston, Texas. He was born June 18, 1931, in San Bernardino, Calif., to Pearl Palmer Ford and William L. Ford. Members of the Palmer family were pioneers in the San Bernardino Valley. A private inurnment will take place in El Paso, Texas. Richard moved to Winslow in 1935, where his father was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad. He graduated from Winslow High School. He was the school photographer, member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Quill and Scroll, and a representative to Boys State. Due to the Korean conflict, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving on the USS Borocco as the ship’s photographer and newspaper editor. Upon completion of his enlistment, he attended Arizona State College in Flagstaff receiving his Bachelor’s degree in journalism while writing for the Flagstaff Daily Sun. Dedicated to serving his country, he joined the U.S. Air Force, serving in the U.S., Japan, England, and three tours in Viet Nam. Upon retirement from the military he worked for Raytheon during the fall of Tehran, Iran and the University of Texas at El Paso. He leaves behind his son, William E. Ford and granddaughter, Stephanie Ford, both of Houston, Texas; and sister, Jane Ford Tribble of Sedona. His passion for travel, photography and music influenced his life and the lives of those around him.
