Ronald Ford

Obituary Notice for Ronald Edward Ford


Longtime Durango resident, Ronald (Ron) Edward Ford, died Friday, June 27, 2014 of hypertensive cardiac disease at his home in North Durango.

Mr. Ford was born on April 26, 1943 to Ralph A. and Martha (Gadeken) Ford in Omaha, Nebraska. He graduated from Omaha Central High School and spent three years in the Army Reserves while attending Omaha University. In April of 1965, Ron married Nancy Hendrix Ford and the couple had two sons together before the marriage later ended in divorce.

While raising his young family in Lincoln, Nebraska, Ron worked for U.S. Checkbook Company and made countless friends in Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming and Nebraska. In 1977, Ron and his family moved to Durango where he owned and operated KDGO Radio. Mr. Ford truly fell in love with the community of Durango and established life-long friendships through his work at KDGO. During his years as owner of KDGO, he served as a mentor and community leader. Ron’s business associates refer to him as a loyal friend who was always willing to help others. In 1991, upon urging from his former boss, he returned to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to work for Donis Corporation.

Ron always considered Durango his home, and made it back in the late 1990’s once his three grandchildren began to arrive. He relished his role as the proud Grandpa, cheering on his grandchildren at their sporting events and activities. Most recently, he worked for Enterprise Rental Car, and thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people as they traveled through Durango.

Ron was an adventurer at heart and loved to travel. His travel destinations included Germany tours of the Rhine and Rhone, Thailand, Chile, England, Denmark, the Czech Republic, and he had just returned from a trip to Russia in May of this year. His two sons recall the some of their most cherished memories are of road trips with their Dad.

Ron was a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of Sesostris Shrine Temple, Past Associate Guardian of Job’s Daughters Bethel 60 and spent four years as a Scoutmaster in Lincoln Nebraska. In Durango, he was a board member for the Southwest Colorado Mental Health Center.

Ron is survived by his two sons, Don A. Ford and John E. Ford of Durango, three grandchildren, Rebekah, Luke, and Cheyanne Ford of Durango, sister Barbara Oertell of Omaha and two nieces.

Ron’s family and friends will always remember him as a fun- loving, compassionate and generous man. He always had a warm smile and funny story to share and saw each day as a new opportunity for adventure.

Cremation has occurred and a memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ron’s honor to Blue Star Mothers of Durango, c/o Cindy Bernard, PO BOX 483, Bayfield, Colorado 81122 or Durango High School Demon Booster Club, PO BOX 3387, Durango, Colorado 81301.