Arthur L. Ford, Jr.

Arthur L. Ford, Jr., age 77 of Kalamazoo, died at Rose Arbor Hospice on April 21, 2024. He was born on January 21, 1947, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the son of Arthur and Mozell (Scott) Ford. Art was a 1965 graduate of Carrie Martin High School in Plain Dealing, Louisiana. He attended Western Michigan University before he served in the U.S. Army. While serving in the U.S. Army, the Army commissioned Art to travel around Germany as a band leader with the name Funky Fingers Ford. Later in life, Art returned to school to receive his associate degree at the age of 76. He was always striving to achieve more, through his years as an entrepreneur to driving a semi-truck and a city bus to becoming an author. In 2008, Art wrote the book, “When the Whippoorwill Sang”. Art was a member of the United States Trotting Association and the Michigan Harness Horsemen’s Association. His greatest joy was always his family. On December 11, 1971, he married Beverly Pfeiffer and they were blessed with six children. 

He had many things he still wanted to accomplish, but he continued to wow us with his talents.  He wore many hats, some were: Husband, Father, Father-in-Law, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Son, Brother, Brother-in-Law, Cousin, Uncle, Friend, Author, Builder, Horse Breeder, Driver, Engineer, Gardener, Historian, Musician, Mechanic, Motivator, Photographer, Singer, Sportsman, Degree holder, Inventor, Landscaper, Thinker, Traveler, Trainer, Leader, Veteran, a constant Worker and a true “trail blazer of survival,” in his own words.  

He is survived by his wife Beverly Ford; his children: Debra (Jamal) Brown, Denise (Scott) Endriss, Dionne Ford, Natalie (Aaron) Wilson, Frederick (Jennifer) Ford, and Douglas (Hadley Sauers-Ford) Ford; his grandchildren: Damien and Markis (Ma’kayla Nuckles) Moon, Yudhistira, Arjuna and Bima Utomo, Jordon Jones, Daysia and Desmond Ford, Isaiah and Abraham Ford, and Alexandria Wilson; his great-grandchild Ja’nari Moon; his sisters: Wanda Balque, Ethel James, and Mary Ford; and many nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: George Ashley, Maude Lawson, Hazel Burney, Ruth Ford, and Perkins Ford. 

Friends may visit with his family on Sunday, April 28^th, 2024, from 2:00-4:00 PM, at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Location, 3926 S. 9^th Street, Kalamazoo, where his funeral service will follow at 4:00 PM. A burial with military honors will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Monday, April 29^th at 11:00 AM.

In memory of Art, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Please share memories of Art with his family at www.langelands.com