Wayne Albert Ford

Our handsome, funny, generous father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather returned to his Heavenly Father on Thursday, September 26th, 2024 unexpectedly. He was born on March 28, 1929, to Clarence W. and Matilda D. Ford in Twin Falls, Idaho. Dad grew up in a very loving household and was active in a lot of things throughout his life. He met the love of his life, Maxine, when just a teenager, and they were married while he was in his senior year. While in high school he participated in many extracurricular activities, including band, marching band, football, basketball and track. He loved it all. He worked hard for his father at Ford Tractor Sales Company and Ford Transfer & Storage, he later bought Ford Transfer & Storage. According to the employees he was one of the best bosses ever. He also worked part-time cleaning at Consolidated Freightways. He was very active in the community playing trumpet in the Twin Falls Municipal Band for 72 years. The Mayor of Twin Falls named July 13-19, 2017 Wayne Ford Appreciation Week because of all that he did for the Twin Falls Municipal Band. He also played in the CSI Pep Band, the local German Band, and the Magic Valley Symphony. Wayne also was a 33º Mason in the Twin Falls Masonic Lodge where he served as Worshipful Master more than once and he also helped with Jobs Daughters. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge, and Shriners, and did other community service. He was a member of the Magic Valley Worship Center and loved going there with other family members, especially when they had food before church. He loved his car which was a 2001 Lincoln Continental. Our mom loved that car too, especially when she saw it had heated seats, so he bought it, and he drove it until just about a month ago when he couldn’t anymore. We all loved to camp and spent many summers at Baker Creek about 15 miles out of Ketchum, Idaho. Mostly he loved everyone unconditionally and said many times, “I may not be rich with money, but I’m rich because I have so many friends.” He was always looking out for and serving others and was very sad recently when he could no longer do that. He will be greatly missed by so many family and friends, but we know he is finally with his beloved wife, our mom, after 12 years of being apart, and they lived and loved happily ever after.

Following are recollections from Wayne’s 6 children:

Michael Ford: “Two years ago Dad and I were talking about him playing in the City Band for 70 years. He told me that year may be his last. I asked why and he said he couldn’t hit some of the notes anymore. I asked why don’t you just put the trumpet up to your mouth and pretend you are playing. He said, “That’s what I’ve been doing!” We chuckled about that, but I don’t think it was true!”

Michael & Sheryl Ford

• Jeffery Ford (Conner & Carson)

• Jennifer Ford

• Curt Ford (Madison, Gary, Satchel & Ashanti)

• Ryan Merritt & Corissa Smith (Kelsy Skidmore (Chris), Remy and Macy)

• Thad Merritt

• Seth Merritt & Kristine Griess

Karen Ford Kinney: “My Dad, what a delightfully funny and most wonderful man! He and Mom were two of the most thoughtful and sweetest people you could ever know. I will love them both forever and miss them tremendously. I pray that all the grieving we do now will turn into just precious memories. They are together again after 12 years apart. What a blessing!”

Karen Ford Kinney

• Brian & Clover Kinney (Elliott and Hadley)

• Amy Kinney

Randy Ford: Pa was involved in several organizations with bands and his church. His devotion to Ma, especially when she was battling dementia, along with the times he would pick you up or take you where you needed to go, with not too many questions was a testament of loyalty to his family. His friends uncounted past and present, also tell how he always thought about helping others before himself. We will miss his almost daily calls when his answer would be “City Dump,” instead of "Hello". He lived a life that all of us can be proud of, lead by example, and didn’t judge unfairly.”

Randy & Janet Ford

• Travis Ford (Ashley Ford, Jake & their daughter Tallula, Alexander, Ella Marie & Charlee)

• Rebecca & Jason Dean (Summer & Logan)

Kathie Ford Kudart: “Whenever I would call him, he would say “City Dump.” He would always tell us he was “working too hard” and I would tell him that “even when he had a job he never worked” and he would laugh and say “that’s true.” He always treated my friends like they were his kids and they just loved him.”

Kathie & Ted Kudart 

• Cory & Cindy Lee (Makayla Garrett (Adam), Cody Lee, Mark Hainline & Jackie Ashburn)

• Mike Kudart (Sabre Tibbets (Caleb), Joshua Kudart (Autumndawn) & Emma Kudart)

• Christina & Jon Shell (Steven Lee, Camden Shell & Linkin Shell)

• Robert & Jamie Lee (Ayden Nyborg, Greg Lee and Axl Lee)

Kim Ford: Kim and Terri’s thoughts about Dad: “It is very sad that we lost our mom, Maxine. But, in a way, a blessing. We really got to know Dad in these past years. He had time to share his stories and spend genuine time with us. Kim remembers working with his dad. He always asked people to do things, instead of telling them what to do. We remember the camping trips and those steaks thrown on a griddle with an open flame. When we were camping, Dad always had to be back on Thursdays for city band no matter what. He was dedicated. Anything he was involved in, he gave 110%. On Friday mornings, a visit to the mall was a priority. He would always make funny gestures on the way. And tell Kim you know where all the bumps are, don’t ya? And don’t get us started on his pictures! He loved them and displayed them proudly in his home. Remembering how he answered the phone. “City dump.” We remember the last time We saw Dad. We always did a knuckle bump as we were leaving. He always said, “Thank you, be safe and buckle up!”

 Kim & Terri Ford

• Melanie & Kody Rumfelt (Presten Rumfelt, Alexa Rumfelt & Saleen Rumfelt)

• Matt (deceased) & Liz Ford (Kaleb Gabriel, Paigelynn Ford (deceased), Faith Ford, Ava Lindo & Skye Lindo)

Kris Ford: “I remember so many things about Dad. He helped me to become a better person and always loved me unconditionally. I loved when I was small and we would go to the Twin Falls Municipal Band concerts in the summer as a family. While the music was playing I would spin and dance, but I couldn’t wait until intermission when my dad would come down to see us. I would get so excited and say to everyone, “There’s my dad.” Dad and I just started a new tradition of Monday night movies and food. Even though we just started it, I will miss it, we watched a lot of movies over the years together, but our favorite was “A Christmas Story.” Last year I got us shirts that said “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid.” I love you Dad and look forward to when we will be together again.”

Wayne is survived by his 6 children, 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife, Maxine; his parents Clarence and Matilda; four siblings Jim, Clarence, John, and Deon; his grandson Matt Ford and great-granddaughter Paigelynn Ford. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Twin Falls Municipal Band: magicvalleyartscouncil.org

Wayne will be honored at a “Celebration of Life” on Monday, October 21st at 12 pm at the Magic Valley Worship Center at 302 3rd Ave East, Twin Falls, where there will be a program and a lunch buffet.