Alan James Ford

Alan James Ford, 80, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away on September 4, 2025. He was born on February 1, 1945, in Canton, Ohio to Andrea (Hiller) Ford while his father James Dewey Ford was serving in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. After the war, the Ford family settled in Florida, where Alan grew up, met his wife Linda and raised two daughters, Deborah and Rebecca.

Throughout his life, Alan strived to harmonize the various triumphs, joys, tragedies, and mysteries of our human experience. Working at the 1964 New York World's Fair, he delighted in great art, music, and glimpses at an optimistic future. Although the future unfolded differently in some ways, his passion for art, music, and literature continued. After studying philosophy at the University of Miami, he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam, where he endeavored to reconcile patriotic duty and a love for his country with his conscience and what he came to understand as his duty to God. After working for some time as an electrician, he eventually attended seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and became a Lutheran minister.

In addition to art and music, Alan treasured literature and poetry, often weaving allusions to his favorite works into his sermons. He also enjoyed tennis and cycling, travel and foreign languages, nature walks and beach combing.

He is survived by his wife Linda, daughters Deborah and Rebecca, grandchildren Rainier and Erza, and his sisters Carol and Susuan, as well as friends, extended family members, and community members who will miss him dearly.

A Committal Service with Military Honors will be held on Friday, September 19th at 12:30pm at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Oak Ridge Funeral Care in Winter Haven Florida on Saturday, September 20th at 10:00am.