CLETIS EUGENE FORD

CLASS OF 1971

SEPTEMBER 19, 1953 - JANUARY 30, 1986

Cletis E. Ford, 32, Louisburg, died Thursday, Jan 30, 1986, at the Humana Hospital of Overland Park. Gene, as he was known, was critically injured in a pickup truck accident Jan. 23 in Leawood.

The son of Merlin Cletus and Betty Gladys Rider Ford, he was born Sept. 19, 1953, at Warrensburg, Mo. The family lived in the Parker and Osawatomie areas. He graduated from Osawatomie High School in 1971.

He was married to Debra Baker Dec. 17, 1976, and they became the parents of two children. They were divorced in 1981. He was then married to Vicki Spears June 25, 1983, and they became the parents of a daughter.

Mr. Ford was a sheet rocker for Johnson County Dry Wall and had worked there for five years. He was active in sports and played softball. He had coached the Linn County Wrestling Club since 1982.

His mother preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Vicki Ford of the home; a son, Jared Ford of Osawatomie; two daughters, Stephanie Ford of Osawatomie, and Heidi Ford of the home; a stepson, Gary Spears, and a stepdaughter, Tellye Spears, both of the home; his father and stepmother, Merlin Cletus and Zona Ford of Parker; his stepfather, William E.Skeens of Osawatomie; two brothers, Michael Ford of LaCygne, and Dale Ford of Bentley, Kan.; two sisters, Mrs. Debbie Ingram and Mrs. Paula Miller of Louisburg; and his grandmother, Mrs. Lela Rider of Odessa, Mo.

The services were at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home in Osawatomie. The Rev. Rich Roberts, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Osawatomie, was the officiant. Rosie Bowker was the organist and Diana Wright sang "When I Need Love" and "Precious Lord."

The burial was in the Osawatomie Cemetery. Serving as the pallbearers were Elvin Troutman, Billy Kice, Doug Chisam, Billy Jackson, J.G. Rhynerson and Dennis Bowman.

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