MIchael Ford

Michael “Mike” Ford passed away at his home surrounded by his family on September 13, 2019. He was born to Ed and Becky Ford at Slidell Memorial Hospital, and he lived in Slidell, Louisiana his entire life.

Mike was preceded in death by his father Edward “Ed” Ford and is survived by his loving wife Richelle Thibodeaux Ford, his two children Sara and Mike Ford, Jr., mother Becky Armbruster Ford, grandmother, Sara Evans, brother Mark Ford (Theresa), and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He attended Slidell High School for two years, and then transferred to St. Stanislaus in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, where he played varsity football and basketball and graduated in 1994. He went on to obtain an associate degree in Fire Sciences from Delgado Community College and volunteered for 4 years as a firefighter with Fire Protection District No. 1 in Slidell. On May 1, 1997, Mike joined Fire Protection District No. 1 as a full-time firefighter and EMT and dedicated his career to protecting the citizens of Slidell, concluding his career as a Fire Captain. While with the Fire Department, he trained to be a Rescue Diver, which led to his working on several movie and television productions.

Mike was an observer and took his time to contemplate people and problems before drawing his own conclusions. He used humor as a way to lighten the mood and make everyone feel at ease.

He was a Boy Scout, an Eagle Scout, and a member of the Order of the Arrow.   Upon learning how to weld, he developed a passion for metalwork and woodworking. He was a self-taught rope weaver and made his own hammock and crawfish nets. After beginning medical treatments, he dedicated time to building his beloved daughter a car for her birthday, which was one of his favorite accomplishments. He loved to watch engineering, military, and war movies and could tell the caliber of ammunition and gun type of each soldier. He enjoyed sharing his love of history with his children, and especially enjoyed spending quality time with his family and friends.

He took pride in serving his community and felt no task was too great. Mike put every effort into doing something the right way. He helped to build a playground at First United Methodist Church, coached youth basketball, adopted pets from a local shelter, and served on the Board for the Slidell High School Band Boosters. Mike volunteered his time to build homes for severely injured veterans with the Non-Profit, A Soldier’s Journey Home. In addition, he loved to help his neighbors and family on DIY projects, even travelling to other states to help elderly family members.

All are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at Northshore Church, 310 Kensington Boulevard, Slidell, Louisiana. Visitation will be from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The Memorial Service will begin at 10:30 am with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to A Soldier’s Journey Home, a non-profit group of volunteers, who build homes adapted for soldiers with disabilities. Mike and his brother have helped build several houses with this organization. Donations may be made on-line at: https://www.asoldiersjourneyhome.org/donate, or by mail to: P.O. Box 578, Hixson, TN 37343. Please note on your donation: In Memory or Honor of Mike Ford.