JC Ford's Obituary
JC Ford was born on July 21, 1931, in Success, Arkansas, to C.R. and Virginia McAnally Ford.
He moved to Longview in 1938, where he attended Longview High School and Kilgore College.
After his formal schooling, JC served in the U.S. Navy from 1952-1956, during the Korean War,
where he was presented the Ambassador For Peace Medal by the Minister of Patriots and
Veterans Affairs for the Republic of Korea.
JC met JoAnn Branch in 1955, and they were subsequently married on November 9, 1956, and
recently celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
They had three children; Gregory W. Ford of Longview; Gail E. Ford of Las Colinas; and Jill
Ford Goen and husband, Jeff, of Flower Mound. JC is survived by four grandchildren, Tiffany
Ford Tanner and husband, Ritchie; Whitney Ford Pickett and husband, Blake; Chandler Goen,
and Kyndal Goen. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Hayden, Ava, and Eleanor
Tanner; and Preston Pickett.
JC was preceded in death by siblings, Mildred Smith, Jeanette Spradlin, Marjorie Wilson, and
Nell Wilson.
JC began his professional career at Pegues-Hurst Ford in Longview where he worked from
1959-1981 and was leading salesman every year of his career. In 1973, he was honored in
TIME Magazine as a top 2% salesman in the nation for Ford Motor Company. After a successful
career with Ford, he and son, Greg, opened a family business from which he retired in 2001.
He was a longtime member of the Longview Lobos Booster Club and the Longview Jaycees.
He was also an avid supporter and fan of Longview Lobos Athletics.
The family would like to recognize Buck and Hattie Chambers for their lifelong friendship and
love; as well as Greg Strong and Tina Campbell for their special friendship and love of our
father.
JC was a longtime member of Mobberly Baptist Church, and went to meet our Lord and Savior
on January 7, 2024, where he was welcomed home by many friends and loved ones.
A celebration of JC’s life will be held at Rader Funeral Home in Longview, on Saturday,
January 13, 2024, with visitation beginning at 1:00 and services following at 2:00. Graveside
will be held at Memory Park Cemetery with military honors.
What’s your fondest memory of JC?
What’s a lesson you learned from JC?
Share a story where JC's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with JC you’ll never forget.
How did JC make you smile?
