Dr. Nathan F. Ford's Obituary
Dr. Nathan F. Ford
05/23/1927-07/22/2024
Family, church, friends, and community were the pillars of Dr. Nathan F. Ford’s life. He shared love and laughter with everyone he met. He was born on May 23, 1927, in the mountains of Cocke County to John G. Ford and Anna Davis Ford, the tenth of 12 children (plus two cousins who came to live with them), and he passed away on July 22, 2024.
Instead of attending Class Night at Cocke County High School in 1945, Nathan and Mom Ford, as his mother was known, took the bus to Knoxville, where she gave permission for him to join the Navy. He served for two years, including time on the USS Grapple, which earned him access to the GI Bill.
He graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in 1950, an institution that would later honor him with the Lifetime Achievement Award. As Newport’s first full-time optometrist, he loved getting to know his patients. He was a member of the professional organizations ETSOA, the TSOA, and the AOA. He was recognized as Tennessee Optometrist of the Year in the 1980s, and his practice still exists today (as Vision Source).
Continuing his father’s legacy of community service, Nathan was elected to the Cocke County Board of Education at age 27. During his tenure, the school board consolidated many of the one- and two-room schools in the county, while greatly improving the educational system. His contributions in support of education were recognized by the county when he received the Cocke County Education Foundation’s Celebrate Our Successes award.
In addition to his support of education, Nathan worked to improve the economic status of those living in Cocke County by his service as chair of the first Cocke County Economic Development Commission and as a director of the Chamber of Commerce. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club, chair of the Cocke County Election Commission, and a charter member of the Smoky Mountain Country Club where he played hours of golf. In 1976, Nathan was elected to his first of three terms as a representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives, where he proudly spoke for his constituents in Cocke, Jefferson, and Sevier counties. His service was recognized by a resolution of the Legislature that named a portion of Highway 321 in his honor.
For almost 70 years, Nathan was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, where he served as council president and as a member of numerous committees. He and Mary B. Ford were married at Holy Trinity on August 14, 1954, and would have celebrated their 70th anniversary on August 14.
Even though he served others with his whole heart, his love for his family and friends was the true essence of his being. He could talk to anyone and never met a stranger. He and Mary entertained frequently at their home, and even after moving to assisted living, Nathan maintained contact with friends all over the country.
It was his family that made him the happiest. He and Mary were the parents of Beth (Mike Driskill), John (Lisa), and Mark (Jane Rodrigue.) Their grandchildren are Gwyn Herbein (Matt), Gavin Driskill (Christine), and Zachery Ford. All phone calls included conversations about his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren, Olivia Herbein, Emory Driskill, and Delaney Driskill.
Friends will be received at Costner-Maloy and Brown Funeral Home in Newport, Tennessee on Friday, August 9 from 4:00-7:00 pm. The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 140 Lincoln Avenue, Newport at 10:00 am on Saturday, August 10. Instead of flowers, please make a gift to Holy Trinity or to a charity of your choice.
Funeral Arrangements entrusted to Costner-Maloy & Brown Funeral Home
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