Daniel C Ford

Daniel C. Ford, 61, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, formerly of St. Joseph, passed away on October 7th, 2015 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Santa Fe.  after a 13-year battle with prostate cancer. His wife and church family were at his side.  Cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. November 7th, at the First Baptist Church of Santa Fe. Dan Ford was born in Rochester, New York on December 31, 1953 to Sherman and Amelia (Sroka) Ford. Soon the Ford family moved to Saint Joseph, Michigan. Dan had a younger brother, Gordon, as a companion to share life’s adventures in St. Joe. Dan was a 1972 graduate of St. Joseph High School.  Dan also attended Western Michigan University where he was a member of Sigma Chi. Dan grew up in St. Joseph enjoying the many beaches, skating rink, Riverview Park for baseball, family picnics, Boyscouts, fun at Lincoln School,  the family drugstore, and adventures with his buddies. Dan launched a career in nuclear safety and as a nuclear safety engineer he promoted nuclear safety at many sites over his lifetime. More recently, Dan worked at the Rocky Flats nuclear site near Boulder, Colorado from 1994 to 2005. He was then employed as a consultant by the Los Alamos National Laboratory through his business, Ford Consulting Group from 2005 to the present. In August of 2011, The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), under the Department of Energy in Washington D.C., awarded Dan The NNSA Excellence Medal in recognition of outstanding performance over the past thirty years supporting the cause of nuclear safety. This national honor which is awarded once a year to a deserving candidate from the United States was presented by Thomas D’Agostino. Dan also received a Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding sustained support of the Los Alamos National Laboratory in September of 2011. This was presented by Charles Anderson, Associate Director of Nuclear and High Hazard Operations. His ethical approach in all aspects of his life, his deep faith in Jesus, and a strange and quirky sense of humor no doubt inherited from Sherm, led to the love and admiration of everyone who met him.   He had a deep love and appreciation for his parents, Sherman and Amelia. He felt a strong bond of friendship and devotion to his brother, Gordon.  All of his children; Nick, Autumn, Phillip, Bret and Vance, were adored by him. As a husband and partner to his wife, Virginia, he was a best friend, deeply devoted, always respectful, faithful, loving and always funny. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Virginia Ford; his children and their families: Nick, Acacia and Oliver Ford; Autumn, David, Parker and Grayson Pohl; Phillip and Megan Ford; Bret and Virginia Bays; and Vance Bays; his mother, Amy Ford; his brother and family: Gordon, Eliza, Dylan and Andy Ford. Dan was preceded in death by his father Sherman. Dan was a shining example of a son, brother, husband, father, friend and colleague. Beloved by all, we will never forget! In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Prison Ministry at the First Baptist Church of Santa Fe would be appreciated.  Donations can be made to the First Baptist Church of Santa Fe (1605 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87505) with the designation of Prison Ministry as a memo. Those wishing to leave the family an on line condolence or share a memory for Dan may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com A Celebration of Life will be held locally at a later date.