Richard Ray Ford

Richard Ray Ford passed away peacefully at his home in Dandridge, Tennessee on Sunday, December 20, 2015. Ray was born in Molus, Kentucky on June 7, 1922, the eldest of fourteen children of Lee Jarat Ford and Cora Hall Ford. The family moved to Knoxville during the Depression and worked as an energetic team to provide for itself. Later Ray worked for the L&N Railroad during the day and earned his high school diploma at night. After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Bailey. He participated in eight major campaigns in the Pacific during WWII. He also served during the Korean War in amphibious forces on the USS Rockbridge. He exemplified the Greatest Generation. Following WWII, Ray graduated from the University of Tennessee, where he met his future wife, Mary Rose Eli. They were married in 1948, and Ray completed UT law school just as he was called to the Korean War. Upon his return, Ray became a trial lawyer and practiced for twenty years prior to his election as judge for Division II of Knox County Criminal Court, where he served from 1970-1982. Afterward, he remained available for assignments from the Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals for several years. Upon retirement, Ray and Mary built a home on Douglas Lake in Dandridge, where they spent many happy years and continued to travel frequently. Ray remained active in the community, serving on the board of First United Methodist Church in Dandridge, as an advisor to Appalachian Electric Cooperative, and as a member of the Knoxville Bar Association. Ray was predeceased by his wife of sixty-four years, Mary Rose Ford; sisters, Ethel (Jim) Weddel, Pauline F. Nelson, Betty (Glen) Neal, Dana (John) Jones, and brother, William Ford. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Sue and Charles Harris of Alexandria, VA; Charles’s daughters, Ashleigh (Steve) Coniglio, and Courtenay Jones; and three great-grandchildren; brother, Henry (Mirrell) Ford, Donald Ford, Joseph (Mary) Ford, David (Brenda) Ford, and Conley (Mary) Ford; sisters Mary (Jack) Tipps, Nona(Robert) Nutter, and Ann (Eugene) Bradurn. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 pm with Rev. Dr. Steven R. Brown, Rev. Larry DeVault, and Rev. Charles Fels officiating. Interment will follow at Lynnhurst Cemetery.In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the charity of your choice. Online obituary may be viewed and condolences extended at www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.

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Richard Ray Ford

June 7, 1922 - December 20, 2015