Father John E. Ford

Father John E. Ford, S.T., a resident of the Washington area for many years, most recently of Upper Marlboro, Md., died suddenly of cardiac arrest on March 31. He was 66.
Father Ford was professed a member of the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity in 1967. After preliminary studies in Monroe, Va., he attended Oblate College, Washington, D.C., and Washington Theological Coalition in Silver Spring, MD where he received an M.A. in Theology. He was ordained a priest in May 11,1974 in St. Camillus Church, Silver Spring, Md.
He began his priestly ministry as a prison chaplain in the District of Columbia jails. During this time he earned a M.S. in Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University, Baltimore, Md. He served in DeLisle, MS in 1980-81. Then he moved to Lawtell, Louisiana where he served as pastor at Holy Family Parish, Lawtell and St. Ann Parish, Mallet from 1982-1985.
After completing his course work for a Doctorate in Spirituality and Psychology from Boston University, he became the Director of Novices for his religious community, moving to Philadelphia, Pa. From 1979 to 2003, he was elected a delegate to four of his religious congregation's General Chapters.
Fr. Ford was appointed pastor of The Catholic Church in DeLisle in 1998, where he served through the destruction of Hurricane Katrina, in 2005.
The son of the late Wallace and Katherine Ford, Fr. Ford was born in January 27, 1947 in Winchester, Va. He is preceded in death also by his brother Michael. He is survived by his sisters: Katherine (Kitty) Wright and Terry Ford of Winchester, Va., Elsie Turner and Anne Ford, of Dallas, Texas, brothers: Walee Smith of Titusville, Fla., Wallace Ford, Jr. of Missouri City, Texas.
A wake service in Adelphi, Md., on Saturday, April 6 was followed by a Mass of the Resurrection. He was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, on April 8, in Holy Trinity, Ala.
Father David Hamm, S.T., will celebrate a Memorial Mass for Fr. Ford on Wednesday, April 17 at 6.30 p.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church in DeLisle.
Riemann Family Funeral Home, 9113 Kiln Delisle Road in Pass Christian, is assisting.
For more information, please call (228)586-0510.