J.D. Ford was born on May 12, 1932, to the late Ezell Ford Sr. and Nettie Harris in Selma, Alabama. He was educated in Selma, Alabama. J.D. moved to Cleveland, Ohio, when he was a teenager.

Fortunately for J.D., his relocation to Cleveland allowed him to meet and marry the love of his life, Dollie Mae Battle, on November 15, 1952. To this union, five children were born: Denise, Bryant, Bruce, Janet, and Andrew.

J.D. confessed a strong belief in Christ in his teenage years. He was a member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church (Cleveland, Ohio) under the pastorate of the late Reverend Bobby C. Ward. J.D. also served under the pastorate of New Jerusalem’s current pastor, A. Charles Ligon, until he made his transition at his home where he was surrounded by his family.

J.D. was a loving father who enjoyed working around his house, in his yard, and in his garden, but J.D.’s greatest joy was taking care of his family.

J.D. was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Dollie; his son, Bruce; and siblings, Ophelia, Annette, Della, L.C., and Bennie.

J.D. leaves to cherish his memory his surviving siblings, Ezelle Ford Jr., of Cleveland, OH, Eugene Ford of AL, Rena Gordan of AL; devoted children, Denise Straight, Bryant Ford, Janet Hutchinson (Roy), and Andrew Ford (Tracey); as well as seventeen grandchildren, twenty-four great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.