~`~ * ~`~

Tragedy occurs during Galena Days


Tragedy struck a 63-year-old man
during the festivities of Galena Days,
this year, after he collapsed on Main
Street, June 2, while arriving to cele-
brate the city's 129th birthday.

Thomas Earl "Tom" Ford, 63, of rural
Baxter Springs, collapsed on the corner
of Sixth and Main on June 2 just before
6 p.m.

Almost immediately, strangers began
administrating CPR to Ford, who apparent-
ly was unresponsive and not breathing.
Emergency workers soon arrived on the
scene, however, and were able to revive
Ford before transporting him to a Joplin,
Mo., hospital.

However, Ford passed away on June 9th
at St. John's Regional Medical Center.

Ford was a former citizen of Galena who
graduated from the Galena High School in
1961. He served with the U.S. Air Force
and was a Viet Nam veteran.

He worked for the Baxter Springs School
District for many years before retiring.

Ford is survived by his wife, Velma, his
children and other family members. The
funeral was held on June 13. (See com-
lete obituary on p.3)

By T. Cobel
Galena Sentinel-Times
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 Page 1

~`~ * ~`~


Thomas Earl 'Tom' Ford
02 April 1943 - 09 June 2006

Thomas Earl Tom Ford, age 63, of rural Baxter Springs, Kan., passed from this life Friday, June 9, 2006, at 11:25 p.m. at St. Johns Regional Medical Center after a short illness.

Tom was born April 2, 1943, to the union of Albert and Hazel (Merrill) Ford in Galena, Kan.

He graduated from Galena High School in Galena with the class of 1961.

He has been a Galena/Baxter Springs area resident all of his life.

He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1961 until 1965. He was a Viet Nam veteran.

Tom retired as maintenance supervisor after 29 years with U.S.D. 508, of Baxter Springs.

He was a board member and Sunday school teacher at New Beginnings Fellowship Church, of Picher, Okla., and also attended the United Family Worship Center, of Galena.

Tom loved to hunt and fish and especially loved his family and friends.

Thomas Earl Ford and Velma June Helms were united in marriage on June 27, 1970, in Bentonville, Ark. She resides at the home.

Also surviving are two sons, Mickey Helms and wife, Jerri, and Tony Helms, both of Baxter Springs; three daughters, Debbie Thomasson and husband, Charlie, Brenda Ray and Linda Gough and husband, Johnny, all of Baxter Springs; two brothers, John Ford and wife, Gay, of Carthage, Mo., and Gary Bogle, of Galena. He has seven grandsons, Bruce Thomasson, Chad Thomasson, Jarrod Helms, Butch Helms, Larry Gough, Steve Gough and Bo Gough; two granddaughters, Sara Ray and Tiffani Lacy; 24 great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, JoAnn Helms; and two brothers, Richard Bogle and Bobby Bogle.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 13, at 2 p.m. at Derfelts Baxter Chapel in Baxter Springs. Rev. Ralph Booth and Rev. Richard Nichols will officiate.

Interment will be at the Greenlawn Cemetery, rural Columbus, Kan.

Pallbearers will be Teddy Bogle, Tony McCoy, Mike McCoy, Gary McCoy, Pat McCoy and Floyd McCoy. Honorary pallbearers will be Norman Fry, Ricky McCoy, Larry Perry and Dave Perry.

Visitation will be Monday evening from 7 until 8 p.m. at Derfelts Baxter Chapel in Baxter Springs.

The Joplin Globe
Published: Monday 2006/06-12

~`~ * ~`~

Orlena

~`~