James W. "Wendell" Ford

James W. “Wendell” Ford, 80, of Curby, Indiana, died on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at his home.  Wendell was born on August 23, 1940, at Morganfield, Kentucky to the late Hollis and Susie (Watson) Ford.

He was united in marriage on August 23, 1959, to Miss Carleta Ann Wilkins in Leavenworth.  To this union were born three children, Angela, John, and Holly.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 43 years, Carleta Ann Ford, his parents Hollis and Susie (Watson) Ford, and his sister, Norma Ford Laswell.

After moving to Leavenworth in 1947 he attended Leavenworth Grade and High School, graduating in 1958.  He then attended Evansville College, receiving his teaching degree.  After graduation he taught the next 4 years at Spartenburg, Indiana, returning then to Crawford County teaching and coaching at Marengo High School.  He taught 2 years in the Shelbyville School System.  He then returned to Crawford County where he spent the next 26 years teaching and coaching in the elementary system at Milltown, Marengo, English, and Patoka.  6 of those years he also served as principal.  He loved very much coaching the younger children.  He was so proud of starting the girls elementary basketball program at English, and his family was so proud of him starting a school breakfast program when he was at the Marengo Elementary School.

As much as he loved teaching, he equally loved the outdoors.  Many remember the beautiful patches of u-pick strawberries he raised for so many years.  He loved fishing, hunting, and trapping.  He also had a wonderful collection of arrowheads he had collected for years.  He sold this collection to help his granddaughter with her college education.  His life was always about his family, which very much included his school family.

Wendell is survived by his daughters:  Angela Wilcox and Holly Barron (Michael) both of Leavenworth, Indiana; son, John Ford (Terri) of English, Indiana; 3 grandsons:  Adams Williams of Louisville, Kentucky, Bryce Barron (Danielle) of Citrus Heights, California, and Brayden Barren (Makessa) of Pekin, Indiana; 3 granddaughters:  Chelsey Barron of Curby, Indiana, Jenna Ford of English, Indiana, and Jordan Ford of English, Indiana; and 3 great-granddaughters:  Lily Barron, Cora Jane Barron, and Eloise Barron all of Citrus Heights, California, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at Brown Funeral Home in Milltown, Indiana at 12:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in the Cedar Cemetery at Leavenworth, Indiana.

Visitation will be on Monday, October 19, 2020 from 3-8 pm and after 10:00 am until time of the service at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, all at the funeral home.

Bro. Michael Barron will officiate the service.

Brown Funeral Home in Milltown is entrusted with the arrangements. 

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