Louis Ford

On Saturday, June 6, 2020, in George Washington University Hospital, Washington, DC, at age 78, Louis Ford answered his heavenly call.  He is survived by his son and daughter, Kendric (Tallahassee, FL)  and Natalie Ford (Washington, DC), five grandchildren:  Quiana, Jaylen, DeWayne, Doris, and Carson; and a brother, William Ford (Washington, DC).  His wife of 27 years, Claudette Franklin Ford, died in 1996.

Louis, the second child of George and Guinnette Lemmon Ford, grew up on Capital Hill in southeast Washington, DC.  He graduated from Dunbar High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Howard University in 1963.  He is a member in good standing of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Mu Lambda Chapter; initiated in the Beta Chapter, Howard University, in 1962.  He served in the U. S. Air Force before working briefly in the federal government.  He found his niche in real estate as a realtor/broker in the metropolitan area with Colquitt-Carruthers, Snider Brothers, Merrill Lynch, and most recently with ReMax Realty.  He created home ownership opportunities for many families and helped to grow wealth in the African-American community for over 40 years.

He was an active member in the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church for over 30 years.  He served as an usher and greeter, sang on the Men’s Choir, and worked in many capacities to serve the church community in the Progressive Adults Ministry and as a life-long mentor to college students through its Love Pal program.

His devotion to his family and life-long learning are evidenced in his work with the Oracle Set Book Club and its Foundation Board as a founding member and officer.  While the book club is thought to be the oldest African American book club in existence, established in 1966, the Foundation began in memory of his wife, one of the founders, as a way to further support education by offering scholarships to deserving students.

He was an excellent gourmet cook and gracious host that made holidays special for his family and friends.  His love of art, music, and antiques made visiting his home an excursion into warmth, beauty, and comfort.   He enjoyed the theater, traveling, reading, and taking long walks with his neighbors and walking buddies; Louis Ford was a man of many talents and interests.  His involvement in organizations included: the Millennium Arts Salon, which is committed to advancing cultural literacy; Toastmasters, International; D. C. Chapter of National Tots and Teens, Incorporated, and was currently serving as vice president of Tots and Teens Associates, the adult social club, where he will be most remembered for his compassionate support of its senior members; Dunbar High School and Howard University Alumni Associations; and a travel group that allowed him to tour the world including Europe, Africa, Haiti, Cuba, and the U. S., most recently, the historical Gullah regions of Georgia and South Carolina.

He leaves to mourn his passing many relatives, friends, acquaintances, and business associates.  He treated everyone he knew with patience and respect for he had old world charm and gentlemanly manners that made all who knew him feel at ease and comfortable in his presence.  He was a trustworthy person in the world of business, yet with integrity and genuine sincerity, he served others.  He touched the lives of many people; he helped them become homeowners and investors in themselves.  Each client became a friend.

The celebration of Louis Ford’s life will commence with a virtual Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Omega Service on June 22, 2020, at 7:06 p.m.

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