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Cindy McKinney planted a tree in memory of Jerry Ford
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
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With loving memory of Mr. Ford, I donate this tree in his honor. May your heart and soul find comfort during this difficult time. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Charles and Joy Stacy Carrr posted a condolence
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Mr. Ford came to BHS to resurrect a football program and he proved to be the man for the job. Even though I did not have the privilege of knowing him very well I did have the opportunity of knowing that he was a good man with a strong character. My father-in-law, Virgil Stacy, spoke well of Coach Ford and Virgil's opinion of people was usually correct. Coaches Ford and Ketron attended our 50th class reunion (1963) even though none of us played football. We were more than glad to see these men again because they were an important part of our school's history.
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HA and Wanda Shelton lit a candle
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
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Otis Vicars posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
The few times I chatted with Jerry was usually about football,& on one of those occasions he told me about a tight game at ETSU when the opponent fumbled,& Ed Foster picked up the football & ran it in for a touchdown,giving ETSU the win.He had a great love & respect for coach Ed Foster,telling me, on another occasion,that Ed was a better coach than the one ETSU had just hired.Jerry was great to talk to,& easy to like,obviously,a great man,& he will be missed & remembered always.I wish to share our Vicars Family's Condolences with Phyllis,JerriAnn,Jon,& the others,with whom we were not as well acquainted. Otis,Charlotte,Vic,Joey,Christy Vicars
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Rachel Forbush lit a candle
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
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What great memories I have of growing up in Blountville United Methodist Church with such wonder families like the Fords. They were and are a class act. Mom, (Betty Garland), and I were so saddened to learn of Jerry’s passing . Prayers for comfort for Phyllis, Lisa, Jeri Ann and Jon. Phyllis and Jerry came to dad’s, (Lawrence Garland’s) ,visitation when he passed away, and I still appreciate their presence that day. Our deepest sympathies. Rachel Garland Forbush and Betty Garland.
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Grundy lit a candle
Monday, September 21, 2020
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I met Jerry not long before his passing, but I grew to enjoy his company very soon thereafter. He was a very kind man, and he always looked to make those around him smile. I am very lucky to have made his acquaintance, and I offer my utmost condolences to his very kind, caring wife. Rest easy, big guy.
Sincerely,
Grundy
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Vicki Webb Hubbs posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
We're so sorry to hear about coach Ford. Our family has so many great memories. We would get together with the other coaches' families to socialize. I think sometimes we were babysitters. Cathy and I went to Blountville High School,( good times). I know this is hard and I also know we will see Jerry again in heaven. Isaiah 66:22 says we will know our loved ones in heaven and they will have the same name. God bless. Our hearts and prayers are with you all. Vicki Webb Hubbs,Bernie and Betty Webb family
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Travis Sampson posted a condolence
Monday, September 21, 2020
Mr. Ford was a major influence in my life. When I was a young child, I was in a abusive situation. It had gone on for sometime. Once Mr. Ford found out he stopped it right away and dealt with the situation. He and my parents found out about the same time and worked together to make things right. I am not going into as much detail as I did with Jon, because it was a very hard time in my life.
Years after, I was playing on the Indian Springs football team with Jon. I saw Mr. Ford and I can't explain how happy I was to see him. I thought I would never get to see him again. I went all through middle school and high school and never said a word to Jon or anyone else for that matter, and neither did Mr. Ford. I never really planned on telling anyone, but about four years ago it was laid on my heart to tell Jon what had happened and how his dad, literally, changed my life. Today, people talk about how I have had such an adventurous life. None of it would have ever happened if it wasn't for Mr. Ford. Now I have a wonderful wife, four amazing sons, three amazing daughter-n-laws and a grand daughter. I am also a deputy at Sullivan County Sheriff's Office and a SRO at Sullivan Gardens School. You see, Mr. Ford made such an impression on me I chose to protect children for a career. I love my job and those I protect. I am but just one who can share a story about Mr. Ford. Its hard telling how many lives he has touched. He was such a humble and wonderful man who helped so many others. We don't know all of his story's and his many works of kindness, but I know the one who does, and his name is Jesus. I love you Mr. Ford, always have.
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The family of Jerry Ford uploaded a photo
Monday, September 21, 2020
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chris akard lit a candle
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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i always remenber mu desk in your alls dads office i would go sit at when i get in trouble after the whipping he would always tell me what i did wrong and after that we would sit there for about a hour or so and talk football baseball basketball remember it like yesterday thanks for keeping me in line some what so for your loss he was a good man and Jon i will always remember you picking on me in church lol
Steve Squeak Jones posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Phyllis was my first-grade teacher, and Jerry was my principal at Blountville Elementary. He would join us in the cafeteria after school and play tabletop football with the triangular folded paper. I never forgot that. God's speed, sir.
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Chad Bishop & Family purchased flowers
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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Chad Bishop & Family
purchased the Written in the Stars and planted a memorial tree for the family of Jerry Ford.
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Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your lossour thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
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Carl Krell posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
My love and blessings to Coach Ford’s entire family. Coach Ford stepped in as my coach and teacher that first year at Central HS when my father passed from leukemia. He was a great example and friend to me and many young people....a tough coach and real winner in football and in life. He could truly relate to young people...In a football team meeting he once said “I heard it through the grapevine”. This cracked us up with laughter as these were the lyrics to a popular song then. I have always missed seeing and talking with him and I always will. Again, my love and blessings to his entire family. Carl Krell
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Charles (chuck) Hoag posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
My sincere condolences to Jerry's family. I knew him from his time in Daytona Beach Shores. Jerry and I played golf together many times. He was one of my favorite people, and I very much looked forward to seeing him every year. I will miss him very much.
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David Rosenbalm posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Phyllis and family sorry of hearing of Coach Jerry passing.He will be missed.You are in our thoughts and prayers.May the LORD comfort you during this time.
Wayne,Linda and David Rosenbalm
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Elsie Denton posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
Phyllis I am so sorry to hear of your loss.You are in my thoughts and prayers.We will see Jerry and Karl again.Love your friend Elsie Clark Denton.
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Tracy Christian Chumbley lit a candle
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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My heart is so saddened to know we won’t see Mr. Ford’s sweet smiling face again. Even though I didn’t get the pleasure of seeing him very much now, I have many fond memories of Mr. Ford. There was never a time that I saw this precious man without a smile on his face. He illuminated kindness and genuineness. I first knew him as my elementary principal. He would always stop and talk to us in the hallways and make us feel special in some shape or form. He always had time to take a minute or two for us. That always stuck with me. Often times, he would talk about his children. He would refer to something or a situation about one of them, or tell a story, particularly about Jon. (I think this was because he was probably the most mischievous one of his children :) He would also talk about how his daughters were protective and motherly to Jon. Later, I got to know Mr. Ford a little better as Jon and I became close friends in high school. He always had a hug, warm smile and kind words for me…. every single time I saw him. In my college years working at the mall, I saw him often walking with his beautiful wife. At times, Mrs. Ford would keep walking because I knew he’d probably already stopped and talked to several people on their ‘mall laps.’ She would look at me and smile or wink as she caught up with him on the next lap. It was a bright spot in anyone’s day to see him. He always wanted to know what was going on in my life. He ALWAYS ask me. Something else that has always remained in my heart… 21+ years ago, he reached out and gave my husband and I a wedding gift two days before we got married. He was a very special Godly man that was a blessing to know! He will always be remembered and cherished in my heart, as I know, many others as well.
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David Overbay posted a condolence
Sunday, September 20, 2020
I played three years of football under Coach Ford, two at Blountville HS, and then as quarterback at Sullivan Central the first year of school there in 1968. Coach Ford was always an encourager and he knew what it took to settle me down. I was always very nervous before our games and Coach Ford would almost always call a quarterback rollout for our first play on offense. Once I took the snap and followed my blockers around the end my butterflies were gone I was good to go.
I had just taken up golf in high school and Coach Ford and Coach Ketron invited me to play golf with them at Tri-Cities Golf Course a few times. Every time we came to a par 5 that paralleled at street, good natured bickering broke out between those two. In a previous round Coach Ford had hit his drive into the street and it rolled a long way down the street, hit a small rock next to the curb, and jumped back into the grass next to the green. Coach Ketron claimed it wasn’t a legal shot and Coach Ford claimed it was. The ‘discussion’ continued down the fairway. I got to see these two men I respected so much as not only coaches ho worked together, but as friends who thoroughly enjoyed each other’s company.
There was a picture that was in Central’s 68-69 annual of Coach Ford and me that was taken during a timeout in a football game. Coach Ford was facing me with his hands on my shoulders giving me instructions. The picture was captioned ‘Overbay gets the word’.
Coach Ford gave his players a lot of encouraging words. His example of character helped shape not only my teen years but my entire life.
David Overbay
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Ed Daugherty lit a candle
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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Sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. Phyllis, you and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. I miss seeing you.
Ed Daugherty
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Aaron Holtzclaw lit a candle
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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To the Family of Jerry Ford, I wanted to say how truly sorry I am for your loss. My being friends with Jon while growing up was how I came to know Jerry. Now, looking back Jerry always had a way of being on the same level, “one of the guys” and not ever “me principal you student,” he knew how to cut up with us, or that was my thinking at the time. As I now remember it, I would later be scratching my head thinking, “we didn’t bluff him at all!” This clearly makes it easy to understand how he found his career path. From my experience, and probably speaking for others, Jerry was definitely a mentor to me. I’m thankful to have known him!
I hope you all can find a way to get through this hard time. Keep in mind all the great times that you had together and hopefully time will help with the rest! Love, Family of Aaron Holtzclaw
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Beverly and Ken Scott purchased flowers
Sunday, September 20, 2020
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Beverly and Ken Scott
purchased the Enchanted Cottage and planted a memorial tree for the family of Jerry Ford.
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Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
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Bill Benton posted a symbolic gesture
Saturday, September 19, 2020
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I am so sorry to hear about Coach Ford’s passing. Coach Ketron kept me updated on him over the last month and we’ve been praying for him. He and Coach Ketron made a significant impact on the person I am today and I’m honored to be their friends. I had been praying for Coach Ford during his heart surgery and during his recovery. We will continue to pray for the family and God will be with them as well as Coach Ketron and Nina.
Bill Benton
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Mark Phillips posted a condolence
Saturday, September 19, 2020
Phyllis and family,
I am not sure what to say to you all. Coach Ford was very influential in molding my life and enabling me meet with the success I have experienced. He kept me on track in high school at Blountville when I thought I was there to play football and run track. He helped me get into Emory and Henry where I got to further my football career. After that I went into coaching and he was always available for advice when I ask. Thanks for sharing your husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather with our Blountville Tigers family.
Mark Phillips
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Terry Williams posted a condolence
Saturday, September 19, 2020
I shall truly miss the man I always knew as, “Coach Ford.” As an adult, I could not call him anything else. No one, this side of heaven, will know the vast impact he made on lives in FL and TN. Thank you to the family for sharing him with so many of us. I dare say we are all better for having known him in this life.
Terry Williams
Blountville High School
1964-1968
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The family of Jerry Ford uploaded a photo
Saturday, September 19, 2020
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