Donald "Pat" Ford

Donald “Pat” Ford, age 79, of Grants Pass, died Thursday, March 29, 2012 at Highland House Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

A cryptside service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 7, 2012 at Hawthorne Memorial Gardens. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to Lovejoy Hospice, 939 SE 8th Street, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 or Grants Pass High School Athletic Department, 725 NE Dean Drive, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

Pat was born August 30, 1932 in Loomis, Washington to Ferris & Ruth Ford. In 1942 he moved with his family to Grants Pass and in 1951 graduated from Grants Pass High School. In 1950 he played in the state championship basketball game and was named to the all-state basketball team. Pat went on to the University of Oregon with a basketball athletic scholarship. After transferring to Southern Oregon College he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Education in 1955. On June 18, 1955 in Grants Pass he married Virginia “Ginger” Croxton. Pat then taught for one year at Lincoln Elementary School before joining the United States Army. In 1958 he was discharged from the military and began teaching and coaching at South Junior High School. After receiving a master’s degree in Educational Administration he began his career in 1966 as a principal at Roosevelt Elementary, then Washington Elementary, Lincoln Elementary and concluded his work in education in 1976 at Highland Elementary School. During the time he worked in education, Pat also was an OSAA official, was a partner in Southern Oregon Distributors beginning in 1966, and established Erosion Control in 1966 as well. He later owned and operated a sawmill in Alaska and Kelly’s Irrigation here in Grants Pass before retiring in 2004.

Pat was a member of the Lions Club and served as past-president; B.P.O.Elks #1584; OSAA; and the Oregon Education Association. He also served on the Grants Pass Budget Committee and the Mark Brandt Wall of Fame Committee.

He enjoyed traveling, reading, and most importantly visiting with friends and family.

In addition to his wife, Ginger Ford of Grants Pass, Oregon; Pat is survived by a daughter, Kathy Johnson of West Linn, Oregon; a son, Tom Ford and his wife Donna of Portland, Oregon; a brother, James Ford of Grants Pass, Oregon; a grandson, Bryan Mitchell of West Linn, Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.