James Ford

James David Ford, Jr., 76, died at his McRae, Ark., home surrounded by those who loved him on July 17, 2010.

He was born Feb. 17, 1934, in Ft. Smith, Ark., to James David Ford, Sr., and Jenette Mae Bray Ford Wooten.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and his son, James Dale Ford.

He was an outdoorsman with a passion for hunting and fishing, but fishing was his favorite. Being in a boat on the water was when he felt closest to heaven. He also enjoyed carpentry and remodeling homes.

He is survived by his wife, Elaine Walsh Ford of McRae, Ark.; two stepsons, Rob Samples of Guy, Ark., and Jim Samples of Emerson, Ark., one son in Texas; one daughter in Kentucky; one brother; three granddaughters; and two grandsons.