Dale Ford

Dale Ford, age 88, died at Park Manor on Nov. 7, 2015, after an extended illness. He was born in Walla Walla, lived in various other cities within the state.

He graduated from Waitsburg High School in 1945, and joined the Army where he was stationed at the Army hospital in Regensburg, Germany. He spent two years attending Eastern Washington University.

He moved to Walla Walla where he was employed by Standard Oil Company, which later became Chevron Oil. He retired from Leid-Ford Chevron Oil Distributing Company in 2000. He met Sharon Gale, his loving wife of 59 years. They were married on July 26, 1956, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Dale’s family was his greatest love and he spent his life dedicated to them. He was an avid sports fan and coached Little League many years, at one time having all three sons on his team. He attended all of his children’s games: football, basketball, baseball, and running track. However, Dale was, above all, a loyal fan of his beloved St. Louis Cardinals and flew their flags many years. While he made several trips to see Cardinal games, his favorite was when his nephew, Alan Ford, surprised him with a trip to St. Louis where all of the Fords (sons, grandsons and nephews) were waiting for him. It was a wonderful memory for them all.

Dale is survived by his wife, Sharon; seven of their eight children: Gale Petersen of Portland, Deborah Hudson (Robert) of Cheney, Heather Kautzky of Seattle, Michael Ford of Los Angeles, Stephen Ford of Portland, Dawn Wilhelm (Wayne) of Liberty Lake, Wash., and Jennifer Marsh (Kevin) of Rathdrum, Idaho. Dale was preceded in death by his dear son, Jeffrey Ford; his parents; and a brother, Don Ford.

The Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. on Friday Nov. 27, 2015 at Herring Groseclose Funeral Home. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Saturday Nov. 28, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to Walla Walla Community Hospice thru the funeral home.