Leonard C. Ford

November 14, 2018
Leonard C. Ford

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Leonard Carlyle Ford (Carlyle) passed away on November 14, 2018 after a lengthy illness.
He was born on July 11,1932 in Mable Minnesota on the family farm to Leonard T. Ford and Ethel Bakken Ford. They moved to Virginia when he was 3 years old.
He is survived by his wife, Katherine C. Ford, and step-daughter, Lynn Starling, cousins Janice Opheim Leonard, William L. Opheim, Thelma Opheim Lee, Karen Opheim Dutton, Beverly Opheim-Tetterton, and numerous relatives in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Carlyle graduated from Matthew Whaley School in 1951. He served in the US Army, worked for Stadium Oil Sales, opened and ran Lum’s Restaurant on the corner of Lafayette Avenue and Richmond Road. He was a business license inspector for James City County and retired as the Commissioner of the Revenue for James City County at the end of 1999.
Carlyle was a former member of the Ruritan Club, James City County Board of agriculture, Norseman’s Federation, Life Member of the VFW Post 8046 and American Legion Post 1776. He was and active member of Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Norge Virginia.
There will be a visitation at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Saturday November 24, 2018 from 4-6pm. A memorial service will be held at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church on Sunday November 25, 2018 at 2pm with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall.
Donations may be made to Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 7479 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188, ARC of Greater Williamsburg, FISH, or the James City Volunteer Fire Department, Toano. VA.


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  • November 17, 2018
    Shelton and Shelvia Whitehurst says:
    Kathy and Lynn our prayers and thoughts are with you. We all are going to miss his many acts of thoughtfulness and kindness for others.

  • December 02, 2018
    Elise Emanuel says:
    Kathy and Lynn, my sincere condolences for your loss. Carlyle was a good American, Lutheran, and Democrat. He did much good for our community. He will be missed.

  • November 23, 2018
    Pam Phelps says:
    My dears Katherine & Lynn, I just learned of your loss, & am wishing you peace and my love throughout the holidays & life.

  • November 21, 2018
    Anne Conkling says:
    Carlyle was instrumental in helping me get acquainted when I moved here many years ago, and was a dear gentleman. I always aporeciated his honesty and humor, and his love for this very special place.

  • November 20, 2018
    Sue Sadler says:
    Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. He was a true public servant and loved by the community.