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Established 1948    Olen Eugene "Gene" Ford of Denison, Texas passed away at his home Sunday, May 20, 2018. A funeral service was held at East Baptist Church, Denison, Thurday, May 24. Pastor Brett Castle officiated, assisted by Rev. Randall Fogle. Interment followed with military honors at Cedarlawn Memorial Park. Gene was born August 30, 1929 in Platter, Oklahoma to Arthur F. and Mary E. Ford. He was one of eight children. His family moved to Texas when he was one year old and they spent the next four years in the Ector area before moving to Denison. As a youth, Gene worked for Western Union delivering telegrams by bicycle and then went to work for the MKT Railroad where he worked for the stores and accounting department for 12 years. Gene was drafted into the Army in 1952, and after completing his basic training at Camp Roberts, California, served as a Tech Sergeant in the Korean War. Among the many duties in Korea, Gene trained and became a night sniper. During his 10 months in Korea on the front lines, Gene and his regiment fought many battles, the last one being the famous "Battle of Pork Chop Hill." Upon returning to the states, Gene was stationed in El Paso where he trained recruits for 3 months, and then served 6 years in the reserves. Later Gene went to work for his brother-in-law, Azle Means Plumbing until he went into business for himself in 1972 establisheing Gene Ford Plumbing. Gene was known for his honesty, trustworthiness, and impeccable work. Throughout his career he plumbed over a thousand homes in Grayson County. Gene began teaching his sons how to plumb when they were very young with precision and expertise. They worked beside him every chance they could. Later his sons and grandson followed in his footsteps, where he continued to teach and guide them in their careers. Gene retired in 1997, On June 17, 1967, Gene married the love of his life, Mary Cato Ford. A never ending love that only grew with each passing year. They enjoyed living in the country for many years where Gene loved gardening and spending time with Mary and family. Gene had quite the green thumb and grew some of the most gorgeous red roses and sweet onions. Gene and Mary later built a home in town there they enjoyed retirement until Mary became ill with Parkinson's disease. Gene took his vow "in sickness and in health" to heart and devoted every minute of every day to caring for and cherishing his beloved Mary until her death in 2008. The family finds great peace in knowing they are once again reunited and dancing on the streets of gold with their Saviour. Gene was Commander of the VFW Post 2773, Denison from 1966-1970 where he also served on the Board of Directors and was All-State Commander for 1967 and 1968. Gene was a lifetime member of the VFW. Gene faithfully attended East Baptist Church, Denison. Gene is survived by his sons, Michael Foltermann and wife, Marsha; Mark Foltermann and wife, Debbie; daughters, Deborah Spykes and husband, David; Cindy Christman and husband, Jeff; Mary Brown and husband, Alan; and Patty Fogle and husband, Randall; sister, Bobbie Iafelice and brother-in-law, Wayne; and sister-in-law, Josephine Ford; 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his brothers, Odell, Arthur, Jesse, and Raymond Ford; sisters, Adell Roy and Christine Means. Gene's grandsons served as pallbearers - Ronnie Jackson, Joe Don Newsom, Caleb Foltermann, Seth Foltermann, P.J. Jones, Jeremy Jones, Chris Brown, Daniel Foltermann, Raymond Foltermann, and Andrew Geisler. Memorials may be made in his name to East Baptist Church, 311 N. 5th St., Denison, Texas 75020. Arrangements under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home in Denison. - - - Fisher Funeral Home.  Denison - Mary Francis Ford, 76, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, December 13, 2008 at the Homestead of Sherman after a courageous battle with Parkinson's. Mrs. Ford was born April 30, 1932 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, daughter of Henry and Daisy Peek Cato. She grew up near Sommerville and Navasota. Mary graduated valedictorian of the class of 1949 at Sommerville High School and was crowned queen at the Sommerville coronation her Senior year. Upon graduation she later moved to Austin and then to Denison where she met the love of her life, Gene Ford. Mary married Gene Ford on June 17, 1967 in Denison and the two became inseparable. You almost never saw one without the other. She worked 17 years with Barrett's until 1984 as head of the cosmetic department. Then she began working along side her husband at their business, Gene Ford Plumbing, until both retired in 1997. Upon their retirment the two sold their home in the country where they enjoyed many happy years and built their home in town where they spent their time walking, going to church and spending time with each other and family. She was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxilary Post 2773, and president of the Auxilary from 1970-1971. She attended East Baptist Church in Denison where she was a member of the Golden Oldies Sunday School Class. When Mary became ill seven months ago, her husband spent every day by her side caring for and making sure she was loved and well taken care of with the help of their children. Mary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Ford is survived by her husband of 41 years; children, Deborah Spykes and husband, David, of Powderly; Michael Foltermann and wife, Marsha, of Denison; Cindy Christman and husband, Jeff, of Cartwright, Oklahoma; Mary Brown and husband, Alan, of Denison; Mark Foltermann and wife, Debbie, of Denison; Patty Fogle and husband, Randall; 21 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruby and husband, Lew Dillinger; Carolyn Bumgardner; brother, James Cato and wife, Malena; sisters-in-law, Bobbie and husband, Wayne Iafelice; Christine Means; Juanita Cato; Josephine Ford; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; great-granddaughter, Chandler Doty; and brother, Johnny Cato. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at East Baptist Church with Rev. Brett Castle officiating. Interment followed at Cedarlawn Memorial Park in Sherman. Arrangements were under the direction of Fisher Funeral Home, Denison.  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