Kenneth "Ken" Charles Ford

Kenneth (Ken) Charles Ford, 77, entered eternal rest, Friday, April 1, 2022.  Ken was born July 23, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Willard and Ada Ford.

Ken lived a long life and was a celebrated member in his neighborhood of friends and family. He would mow yards, put out trash, run errands - you name it - and he would do it in a heartbeat.  He loved animals and sharing his time with his loving wife, Phuong.  In short; he was a kind, generous, and loving soul.

Ken loved technology and had every kind of media that you could imagine in his home.  His living room is the ultimate place to experience a movie.  He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and never missed watching a game with his brother Jim. He had an interest in carpentry, taking community college courses which enabled him to complete a sunroom addition to his house and a detached utility shed.

Ken was a disabled Vietnam War Veteran. He actively supported POW and MIA groups and other veterans. 

Ken grew up in Chicago, IL with his brothers Jim and Frank.  Their family was poor and lived a meager life.  Even though his youth was tough, Ken was instilled with honesty, a sense of fairness, and a generous spirit.

Ken proudly served in the US. Navy 1965-69 as a Radioman Third Class (e-4) USN.  His service put him in action for several historic events.   Ken was stationed on the USS SPIEGEL GROVE LSD-32 (Home Port Little Creek VA) that served with Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean during the 6-Day war between Egypt and Israel. He was in Athens, Greece in December 1967, when King Constantine was overthrown and kicked out of the country by the Greek military. Ken served with the River Assault Flotilla One Group Bravo in III and IV Corps in South Vietnam (Mekong Delta Base @Dong Tam a joint Army/Navy assault force that served in the Delta and in Cambodia July 68-June 69).  The movie ‘Apocalypse Now’ depicted this unit.

Service of interest:  boot camp at Great Lakes, IL (Sept-Dec 65); Radioman Class A School Dec 65-May 66; Assault Squadron Two (Little Creek Virginia) May-Sept 66;  Served 3 Caribbean cruises Sept 67-June 68 with training at GTMO Cuba; went to Jungle School at Ft. Sherman, Panama;  went to Counterinsurgency School in Coronado, CA;  went to SERE Training (Survival, Escape, Evasion) at Warner Springs, CA; and was separated from USN at Long Beach, CA in July 1969.

Medals include:

Vietnam Service Medal with Four Bronze Stars
Vietnam Campaign Medal with Bronze Star Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Oak Clusters
Vietnam Civil Action Medal with Palm and Oak Clusters
Presidential Unit Citation Medal
Navy Unit Citation
Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V
Combat Action Ribbon
National Defense Medal

After his time in the Navy, Ken graduated from DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois and worked as a technician for several companies.

Later he moved to Mebane, NC to be near his mother and older brother.  Ultimately, he met the love of his life Phuong, and after years of being together, he married for the first time at the age of 70.  Ken is a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and is an important member of his family. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Phuong Ford and stepchildren Jim Dong (Lie), Roger Dong, and Michael Dong (Samantha) and grandchildren Thomas and Nathaniel; siblings, Jim Ford, and Frank Ford (Sheila); nieces, Kimberly Ford Reichbach (Milan), Meredith Ford Reed (Mason), Cassie Ford, Kevin Ford (Jessica), and Brian Ford (April); great-nieces Morgan, Arianna, and Kira. Ken is preceded in death by his parents Willard and Ada Ford, sister-in-law Linda Ford.

His funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2022 at McClure’s Funeral Home, 1308 S. Third St. Ext, Mebane, NC 27302. The family will receive friends and family Friday, April 8, 2022 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm at McClure’s.

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