John William Ford

Ann Arbor, MI

Age 75, passed away Thursday, August 20, 2020, at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. He was born April 3, 1945, in Ann Arbor, MI, the son of James Wilfred and Gladys Gertrude (Calkins) Ford. John was a lifelong Ann Arbor resident. He graduated from Pioneer High School in 1963. On August 5th, 1972, he married Carol Madeline Rockey. They raised a family together before deciding to divorce in 1989. They remained friends and loving parents to their children until Carol’s passing on December 21st, 1998. John worked for the University of Michigan as a Research Associate in the Department of Surgery from 1974 until he retired in 2008. He was an avid reader and could often be found reading his favorite publication, The New Yorker. He loved classic old movies and romantic “feel good” movies. He always watched the NBC Nightly News and loved to catch Tiger’s games on TV. In his later years, he watched every game the U of M Wolverines played each fall. He was an amazing cook and had a large collection of wonderful recipes for his children to share. In the evening he loved to sip wine, especially Pinot Grigio, often sharing it graciously with his guests. John also enjoyed classical music, especially Bach. His hobbies included doing the family’s genealogy, watching movies, exercising, cooking, gardening, bird watching, going on photo trips with his very good friend Phil, traveling and enjoying the company of his children and grandchildren.

He had traveled around the U.S., to Mexico, and to Europe many times, spending time in Ireland, the Netherlands, and France. France was always his favorite place, his heart remained there. In his younger years, John sketched, painted, and did photography, having his own darkroom to develop photos in his house. He was quite a talented artist! His favorite pastime was researching and doing genealogy, which he did for most of his life. He has an extensive collection and database of research on his family tree. John loved nature and the outdoors and camped and hiked a lot as a young man. John was amazingly logical, practical, and frugal. He was the go-to person for advice on how to be successful in life and do the right thing. He was a proud, serious, quiet, and sentimental man that mostly kept to himself, but he deeply loved his family and was a great father and a fantastic grandfather! Survivors include: three children, Erin Elizabeth (Brandon Scott) Watkins, Sean MacDerrmott (Kelly Mckinley-Ford) Ford, and Padraic James Paul Ford; five grandchildren, Claire Madeline Elizabeth Watkins, Isla Sophia Watkins, Ian Cameron Watkins, Quinn Holland Watkins, and MacDermott William McKinley Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Caitlin Claire Ford, and his former wife and friend, Carol. A graveside service will be held on Monday, August 31 at 1 pm in Arborcrest Memorial Park.