Obituary for Herbert Ford
Herbert began his journey on March 3, 1934 as the fifth of ten children born to the union of Roosevelt and Carrie Maude (Bruce) Ford in Detroit, Michigan. This active family of nine boys and one girl were taught strong work ethics and to cherish their family bond.
Herbert attended Norvell Elementary and graduated from Miller High School after which he joined the U.S. Army and served for two years. However, prior to his leaving for the military, Herbert was introduced by his cousin, Louise, to Odessa Jefferies who became the love of his life. When he returned home, he found employment at the Ford Motor Company and married Odessa on June 11, 1960 at St. Stephen A.M.E Church with his brothers as groomsmen and her sisters as bridesmaids. To this blessed union was born Alison Hillari and Jefferey Herbert.
The family became faithful members of Gesu Catholic Church with the children enrolled in the school and where Herbert and Odessa did volunteer work. Herbert ushered for many years and both helped out with other tasks, as needed. They also marched with Dr. Martin Luther King; were Bagley Neighborhood Captains; made sandwiches for the homeless and along with her sister, Thelma, drove around Detroit passing them out. They were very kind and generous. They were most often the hosts for family gatherings. Herbert had a hearty laugh that could shake the walls. Because he appreciated special family events, he used his video camera to capture the memories that are permanent treasures.
Once Odessa became a teacher, you would have thought Herbert was her assistant! He would help her with creative ideas for the classroom and often work on Saturdays to surprise the children on Mondays, even making special bulletin boards for the hallways surprising teachers. They would buy school supplies and clothing for needy children. He was her chauffeur, taking her wherever she wanted to go at the end of the day. Of course, the day was not complete without a trip around Belle Isle. They were inseparable.
His creativity included making toys and gadgets for Alison and Jeff, making furniture, and endless other things. During the Christmas season, their home became a winter wonderland. Herbert made the Christmas decorations light up, turn around, move, sing, blink and even had a train that ran through tunnels all around the house. It was their favorite time of the year and they enjoyed seeing the pleasure in the eyes of the family.
Herbert and Odessa were avid sports fans. At any given time, there was a game on television at their home with yelling for their teams. He also loved to go hunting with his brothers. He would come home with stories of their adventures. He had an accurate shot and would come home with his wild game, clean them and then try to trick the family into eating his bounty. He belonged to a bowling league at work, carried an average of 239 and was a member of a senior golf league.
Before there was internet and navigational systems, Herbert was the one who answered questions about locations and best routes. He loved Detroit and his favorite pastime was taking the family on long drives around the city and outlying areas….. and of course, Belle Isle.
During his employment at Ford Motor Company, he was promoted from journeyman to a foreman and then as a supervisor. He worked in the Model Maker department for much of the time. After retiring, his “other Ford family,” as they were later known during Ford Motor Company’s 100 year celebration, were written about in newspapers and magazines. They were interviewed on television and were honored to appear in a Ford commercial and documentary.
Herbert loved and was loved. Above all, he was a devoted father in being present in the lives of his two amazing children. Alison and Jeff returned his devotion by being present in his life when he needed them most.
Herbert is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Odessa; his sister, Dorothy Wade; brothers, Roosevelt “Sonny,” Carl, Alvin, and William “Mickey.”
Herbert’s gentle spirit, love, friendly and faithful persona will be missed by his children, Alison (Michael) Day Sr.,and Jefferey Herbert; brothers, Charles (Fredel), Sam (Gerain), , Henry (Barbara), Roy (Gilda); half-sister, Delores Thornton; six sisters-in-laws; grandchildren, Michael (Lindsey) Day II, Brian (Kimberly) Day, Sr., and Aaron; 5 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Herbert attended Norvell Elementary and graduated from Miller High School after which he joined the U.S. Army and served for two years. However, prior to his leaving for the military, Herbert was introduced by his cousin, Louise, to Odessa Jefferies who became the love of his life. When he returned home, he found employment at the Ford Motor Company and married Odessa on June 11, 1960 at St. Stephen A.M.E Church with his brothers as groomsmen and her sisters as bridesmaids. To this blessed union was born Alison Hillari and Jefferey Herbert.
The family became faithful members of Gesu Catholic Church with the children enrolled in the school and where Herbert and Odessa did volunteer work. Herbert ushered for many years and both helped out with other tasks, as needed. They also marched with Dr. Martin Luther King; were Bagley Neighborhood Captains; made sandwiches for the homeless and along with her sister, Thelma, drove around Detroit passing them out. They were very kind and generous. They were most often the hosts for family gatherings. Herbert had a hearty laugh that could shake the walls. Because he appreciated special family events, he used his video camera to capture the memories that are permanent treasures.
Once Odessa became a teacher, you would have thought Herbert was her assistant! He would help her with creative ideas for the classroom and often work on Saturdays to surprise the children on Mondays, even making special bulletin boards for the hallways surprising teachers. They would buy school supplies and clothing for needy children. He was her chauffeur, taking her wherever she wanted to go at the end of the day. Of course, the day was not complete without a trip around Belle Isle. They were inseparable.
His creativity included making toys and gadgets for Alison and Jeff, making furniture, and endless other things. During the Christmas season, their home became a winter wonderland. Herbert made the Christmas decorations light up, turn around, move, sing, blink and even had a train that ran through tunnels all around the house. It was their favorite time of the year and they enjoyed seeing the pleasure in the eyes of the family.
Herbert and Odessa were avid sports fans. At any given time, there was a game on television at their home with yelling for their teams. He also loved to go hunting with his brothers. He would come home with stories of their adventures. He had an accurate shot and would come home with his wild game, clean them and then try to trick the family into eating his bounty. He belonged to a bowling league at work, carried an average of 239 and was a member of a senior golf league.
Before there was internet and navigational systems, Herbert was the one who answered questions about locations and best routes. He loved Detroit and his favorite pastime was taking the family on long drives around the city and outlying areas….. and of course, Belle Isle.
During his employment at Ford Motor Company, he was promoted from journeyman to a foreman and then as a supervisor. He worked in the Model Maker department for much of the time. After retiring, his “other Ford family,” as they were later known during Ford Motor Company’s 100 year celebration, were written about in newspapers and magazines. They were interviewed on television and were honored to appear in a Ford commercial and documentary.
Herbert loved and was loved. Above all, he was a devoted father in being present in the lives of his two amazing children. Alison and Jeff returned his devotion by being present in his life when he needed them most.
Herbert is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Odessa; his sister, Dorothy Wade; brothers, Roosevelt “Sonny,” Carl, Alvin, and William “Mickey.”
Herbert’s gentle spirit, love, friendly and faithful persona will be missed by his children, Alison (Michael) Day Sr.,and Jefferey Herbert; brothers, Charles (Fredel), Sam (Gerain), , Henry (Barbara), Roy (Gilda); half-sister, Delores Thornton; six sisters-in-laws; grandchildren, Michael (Lindsey) Day II, Brian (Kimberly) Day, Sr., and Aaron; 5 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.