Ford B. Ford died peacefully in his sleep in his home in Woodbridge, VA at the age of 92 on the morning of May 17, 2015 following a courageous battle with cancer. Family and friends remember his positive outlook, diplomacy, integrity and love for his family and many lifelong, loving friends.

Ford was born on November 19, 1922 in Norton, VA and was the son of the late William B. Godbey and Annis Ford Godbey. He was preceded in death by his brother William Ford and sister Annis Elizabeth Godbey and his beloved wife, Norma Lentz Ford of 69 years, who died in 2014 and their son Jack Thomas Ford who died in 1981.

After graduating high school he entered VMI but did not graduate because his entire class resigned to enlist in the U.S. Army during wartime. He attended OCS in 1944 where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Before being sent to command a platoon in Germany, he married Norma in Little Rock, Arkansas. After the war ended, he became a Provost Marshal of a town in Germany before returning to the US, where he was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Ford graduated from U.C. Berkeley, and then settled in Bishop, California to raise their two sons, Robert and Jack. He became manager of the Coca-Cola Bottling Company and acting Postmaster there. Since 1955 Ford held state government positions including deputy secretary of the California Resources Agency and a five-year membership on the California Occupational Safety and Health Appeals Board. In 1978, Ford left state government to become vice president of a private firm conducting safety and health surveys. As a registered safety and industrial engineer in California, Ford brought valuable experience in safety and management to his position as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health of the United States from 1981-1983, Under Secretary of Labor 1983-1985 when he was appointed to those offices by President Ronald Reagan. He also was Acting Secretary of Labor 1984-1985. Additionally he served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for M.S.H.A. under President George H. Bush.

Ford is lovingly remembered by his son Robert and daughter-in-law, Gae, their children and his grandchildren, Sunnybrook with husband David Wilson, Autumn with husband Jeremy Culbreth, Breeze with husband Mark Hayden, Meadow Ford and Robby Ford, his son Jack’s widow Maria and their daughter Lianna with husband Matthew Bianco. His great granddaughters from Robert and Gae, Danielle, Skyla, Michayla, Ava, River and Cadence and great grandson Jagger; and from Jack and Maria, great grandson Savino. Ford will also be missed by his niece and nephews from his brother William and several loving cousins who were like sisters to him growing up in Virginia.

Because of his love for nature and conservation, camping was one of his favorite hobbies and in later years, he and Norma especially loved to travel with the Blue Birds. He was exceptional at telling stories of his long eventful and happy life, having the charming ability to captivate his audience into his nineties.
The family will receive visitors on Saturday, June 13, 2015, from 1-2 p.m. at Baker-Post Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA, 20110. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. A reception will take place immediately following the service in the funeral home community room and all in attendance are invited.

Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.bakerpostfh.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ford Barney Ford, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.