David Ford

David Terence Ford was born October 24, 1939, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Clarence Harold and Edith Lillian (Anderson) Ford, and passed away Saturday, July 11, 2009, at his home in Atlantic, Iowa.

While living in Creston as a small child, David was baptized at the Lutheran Church there. He also lived in Missouri Valley before moving to Atlantic at the age of 3. He was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. He attended Lincoln Elementary School in Atlantic, graduating from Atlantic High School in 1958.

On April 4, 1959, he was united in marriage to Rita Faye Cavanaugh at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic. Two children were born to this union, Dorinda and David. The couple enjoyed many happy years together, celebrating 25 years with a trip to Norway, Denmark and Sweden; 40 years were marked with the renewal of their wedding vows and then a cruise to Alaska; and their 50th Anniversary was celebrated this past April with a gathering of extended family and friends.

David was an employee of the Iowa Department of Transportation for 20 years, and then the Cass County Engineering Department, working in road and bridge construction. Together, he and Rita have owned and operated the A-Ford-O Motel in Atlantic for the last 25 years. David also owned and serviced vending machines in the Atlantic area. He was known as the "Candy Man" along his route.

David was a "real" Dad". He was always there as Dorinda and David were growing up, to help with Cub Scouts, coach Little League or lend a hand with a 4-H project. He loved to hunt, fish and camp, and he shared his love of the outdoors with his children and his nieces and nephews. His beloved cat, Nat was always near his side.

David is survived by his wife, Rita of Atlantic; his daughter, Dorinda Ford and her friend, Dave Duvall of Atlantic; his son, David Ford and his wife, Ty and his grandchildren, Sam and Chloe Ford all of Boise, Idaho; his sisters, Joan Hermansen of Phoenix, Arizona and Sharon Hudson of Syracuse, Nebraska; his brother Everette "Jerry" Knutson of Omaha, Nebraska; his brother-in-law, Jim (Jo) Cavanaugh of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and his sister-in-law, Rosalie (LaVern) Obermeier of Wiota; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lillian Ford; his parents-in-law, Maybelle Cavanaugh and George Cavanaugh Sr.; his brothers-in-law, George Cavanaugh Jr., Edward Cavanaugh, and Bob Hudson; and his sister-in-law, Evelyn Knutson.

Memorial services will be held Friday, July 17, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. at St Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, also at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

A private family burial will take place at a later time.

The family requests memorials be made to St Paul's Lutheran Church or Cass County Hospice.