Jessie Ray Ford

Jessie Ray Ford, 88, of Stamford, rode the good ride and turned the reins over to his Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2017 at the Haskell Hospital surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 9, 2017 at the Tankersley Funeral Home Chapel (807 S. Columbia) Stamford, Texas with the Rev. Jesse Morton officiating. Burial will follow at Spring Creek Cemetery at Avoca, Texas. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Wednesday evening from 6 - 7 p.m.

Jessie Ray Ford was born March 5, 1928 in Lueders, Texas, he was the son of the late John and Lillie McDaniel Ford.

He was a 1946 graduate of Lueders High School. As a young man Jessie broke horses and worked on a sputtering rig in the oil field for several years before starting a job at the Petroleum Refinery Co. in Lueders for a span of over 20 years. In 1972 Jessie moved to Stamford to become the self-employed proprietor of Ford Small Engine Repair Shop, where he worked until his retirement 2 years ago.

Jessie married Carolyn Ona Summers on October 19, 1967 in Anson, Texas. Jessie and Carolyn celebrated 47 years of marriage prior to her death January 10, 2015.

Jessie was a Baptist, he loved spending time with his family, his horses and little dogs.

Survivors include 1 son, Karl Ford of Winnsboro, Texas; 3 daughters, Gayla Pendergraft and husband Dana of Avoca, Texas, Karen Wilson and husband Kenneth of Glen Rose, Texas, and Carol Lackey of Anson, Texas; 1 daughter-in-law, Linda Avery of Midland, TX; and 1 honorary daughter and son, Gwen and Ronald Baker of Stamford, Texas; 1 sister, Hazel Williams of College Station, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Dustin Ford, Whitney
Edwards and husband Josh, Casey Lofton, Jessica Pendergraft, Kevin Ford and wife Gaylynn, Kerri Stewart, Krystin Lackey, Shae Lackey, Billie Ann Bartlett Young and Brent Ray Brewer; 7 great grandchildren, Justin Ford and wife Krista, Codi Ford, Casey Stewart, Jordan Stewart, Ryder Edwards, Lyla Santos, Logan Santos and Alaysyah-Marie Baker.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 1 son Eddie Ford, 1 daughter, Karen Brewer, 1 granddaughter Amy Lynn Ford, 2 brothers, Wylie Ford and Charlie Ford and 2 sisters, Thelma Dillard and Nadine Martin.

Condolences and memories may be shared online at: www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com.