Richard Ford

Richard Arlen Ford, 65, entered his eternal life Wednesday, July 28, 2010, after a battle with advanced prostate cancer, with his family by his side at St. Josephs Hospice in Baton Rouge. A resident of Baton Rouge, Richard was born April 26, 1945, in Plaquemine to James and Audrey Gautreaux Ford. He was a graduate of Baton Rouge High, USM and LSU. He was band director at Bay High School in Bay St. Louis, Miss., from 19671969, and Baker High School, Baker, from 19691975. He later went into insurance and annuity sales and was a national sales leader for Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Co. for many years. Richard was an avid SCCA race car driver and instructor and a member of Bethany World Prayer Center, Baker. Richard was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sons, Richard Blake Ford and Alexander Hutchison Ford. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Cannella Ford, of Plaquemine brother, Thomas John Ford and his wife, Terelyn, of Baton Rouge a son, Christopher Windham Ford and his wife, Becky, of Baton Rouge and three daughters, Amanda Jane Ford Ellis and her husband, John, of Laurel, Miss., Melinda Ford Atkins and her husband, Ryan, of Opelousas, and Madeline Alexandra Ford, of Baton Rouge. He was also blessed with seven loving grandchildren, Cole Ellis, Connor Ellis, C.J. Ford, Holly Ford, Carson Ellis, Jackson James Atkins and Monica McDowell. At his request, no funeral service will be held, but friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service at Bethany South Center of Hope, 10877 Reiger Road, on Saturday, Aug. 7, at 10 a.m., officiated by Brother Hank Hannagan.

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