CHARLES FORD

LAKE CITY - Charles Ford, 81, died Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at his home in Lake City surrounded by his family and friends. Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Lampe Funeral Home in Lake City with Pastor Carla Hillyer and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Burial will be in the Lake City Cemetery. Visitation will be after 5 p.m. Saturday with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at Lampe Funeral Home.

Charles John Ford was born on October 1, 1928 at Lake City Hospital to Delbert and Luella (Dowling) Ford. He attended country school in the Lanesboro area until the 8th grade before moving to California. On March 14, 1953 he was married to Delores Fischer in Fairmont, Minnesota. They made their home in Lake City, where they remained. Chuck worked for Snyder Implement until 1954, when he opened Chuck's Conoco in Lake City; he also owned and operated the Co-op Station. He was later employed as purchasing agent at Stewart Memorial Hospital in Lake City, where he also held the position of ambulance coordinator and was an EMT. Chuck was later employed as a production assistant for his son at Farm Bureau in Rockwell City, Iowa where he finally retired at age 74.

Chuck was a past member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, where he was active in recruiting contestants for the Miss Western Iowa beauty pageant. He was elected to the Lake City City Council in 1957. Chuck was a county chair of the Calhoun County Republican Party. He always maintained a large garden when his health allowed it. Charles also loved fishing and hunting when he was younger, enjoying deer hunting trips to Wyoming. In later years, Chuck became an avid golfer and was happy whenever he was playing golf with good friends. Chuck always took great pride in his lawn and spent many hours on his lawnmower. Chuck was important in the lives of many children. He was a father figure not only to his own children but to various nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Chuck is survived by his wife, Delores of Lake City; son, David (Cindy) Ford of Lake City; daughter, Vicki (Randy) Tasler of Lake City; grandchildren, Shane Ford, Webster City, Brett Ford, Lake City, Jamie Stone, LaVista, Nebraska, and Jordan Waters, Lake City; great-grandchildren, Kennedie, Nolan, Lauren, Kyler, Kameron, Gabby, and Jasey; sister, Margaret (Leo) Stacey of Spokane, Washington, and brother, Clifford (Rose) Ford of Winton, California. He was preceded in death by his father, Delbert Ford; mother, Luella Barnhoft; brother, Delbert Ford; sister, Ann Barnhoft; son, Michael Ford; and beloved great-granddaughter, MacKenzie Ford.

Chuck will be remembered for his generosity, love of family and friends, dedication, and for his humor that sustained us until the end.