John J. Ford III

John Jay Ford III, MD, 74, of Westminster, Colorado. Preceded in death by parents John Jay Ford Jr., and Etta Mae Ware Ford, and Granddaughter Marissa Hope Ford. Survived by his loving wife Connie, mother of daughters, Tambria Leland (Dustin Hatchett), and Shannon Tuininga (Brandon), and former wife Harriet, mother of Lisa Heaton (Tim), Suzanne English, (Marty) and John Jay Ford IV (Tammy); brother David Ford of Lincoln, NE (Ruth), and sisters Dinah Downen of Rockledge, FL (Don), Bitsy Shephard of Cornwall, England(Garth); grandchildren, Tom, (Whitney), Sarah, Mary, Lauren, Patrick, Kelsey, Tyler, Kevin, (Stephanie), and Victoria; and two Great grandchildren, London and Logan.

Dr. Ford was the first baby of the year born in Houston, Texas on January 1, 1937, the oldest of four children. He graduated from Hastings High School (Nebraska). Dr. Ford earned his bachelor’s degree at Hastings College and his medical doctor degree from the University Of Nebraska College Of Medicine in 1963 interning at Immanuel Hospital in Omaha. From 1964 to 1966 he served in the United State Air Force as a flight medical officer and later chief of aerospace medicine.

He began his private practice in North Platte, Nebraska in 1966 and moved to Arvada, Colorado in 1971 where he joined Bradburn Medical Group in Westminster. In 1998, he opened the Ford Family Medical Group in Broomfield, CO. After retiring from family medicine in 2010, Dr. Ford spent his last year of practice at Fort Riley, Kansas serving families of our active military personnel.

Dr. Ford was recognized in 2001 by the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, as the Family Physician of the Year.

Active as a member of Spirit of Christ Catholic Community in Arvada, Dr. Ford served in multiple ministries including the choir, the SHARE Program, Emmaus Retreats, prison ministry and others. He had a passion for music, mastering several instruments including the trombone, guitar and harmonica. Dr. Ford rode in 16 consecutive MS 150 bicycle rides to support the MS Foundation. His list of activities in the medical community is extensive.

Having obtained his pilot’s license while serving in the Air Force, Dr. Ford loved to fly, sail, ski, scuba dive, ride his motorcycle and many other outdoor activities. He was an avid Cornhuskers “Big Red” fan.

Donations please to Lalmba, humanitarian organization, 7685 Quartz Street, Arvada, CO 80007 or Spirit of Christ for John J Ford III, MD 7400 West 80th Ave Arvada, CO 80003.

There will be an Open Remembrance, Tuesday, 6-8PM at Olinger Highland Mortuary, Thornton, CO. Service will be held Wed., 1PM at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community, Arvada.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Highland Mortuary & Cemetery, Thornton, CO.