Douglas Edward Ford, 67, passed away peacefully at home on March 4, 2020 after a brief battle with cancer. Doug lived life to the fullest and loved traveling around the state of Michigan with his wife, Cheryl, in his beautiful 2015 Ford Mustang GT convertible. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of cars of all types (especially muscle cars) and was known to cause the eyes of his wife and daughters to occasionally glaze over as he compared and contrasted the merits of different years and models of said vehicles. He was an avid musician, and the family has decades of fond memories of dancing around the basement as he played his bass or guitar, and singing songs around many campfires. He was a founding member of the Basement Band, which regularly practiced at his home and performed one very exclusive gig.
Doug’s daughters will tell you he could fix anything: from furnaces to electrical issues to finding the right glue to fix a broken leg on a model horse to “supercharging” a bubble gun. Prior to retirement, he worked at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren for over 30 years, ensuring their heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration stayed in tip-top shape. He often used those same skills to help out family and friends. Doug had an incredible work ethic and was very proud of the fact that he was never without a job, and over the years worked many overtime hours to support his family.
Doug was married to Cheryl Ford (Von Itter) for 45 years. He loved his wife dearly and was a devoted husband. He was the beloved father of Claire (Alexander) Kirsch and Megan (Jeremy) Vinyard and the best “Gampa” ever to Sam and Max Vinyard. Doug is also survived by his loving siblings: Michael (Carol) Ford, Susan (Steve) Mancani, Patty (Ed) Ford, Donald (Jolene) Ford, and Linda Ford. “Uncle Doug” loved and was loved by several nieces: Jennifer (Dan), Sara, Kati, Danielle (Hardy), Melissa (Alan), Michelle, Rose, Callie, and Olya; and nephews: Michael, Jason, Kevin (Stephanie), Dustin (Kari), and Tyler; along with several great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Dolly; stepmother, Phyllis; and father, Ralph.
Doug had known many of his close friends since childhood. They may not have been family by blood, but they were brothers by choice for over sixty years: Dave, Bob, Dale, Tony, John, Craig, and many more.
A celebration of Doug’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Guitar Center Music Foundation or Reverence Home Health & Hospice Detroit: St John Providence.
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