Orrin Boyd Ford
Boyd Ford, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 4 at The Gables of Ojai; he was 99.
Boyd was born to Orrin and Orpha (Chandler) Ford January 5, 1925, in San Francisco. He lived his early years on a Shell Oil lease in Bicknell near Santa Maria attending a one room, one teacher K through 8 school, then Santa Maria High School. He then attended Santa Barbara and Ventura High Schools as his father moved with Shell Oil jobs.
Boyd enlisted in the US Navy in December 1942 at age 17, the next month he was in Idaho for bootcamp at the Farragut Naval Training Center before being assigned to the USS Corregidor as a quartermaster. His entire tour of duty on the small aircraft carrier was in the South Pacific and included multiple battle campaigns. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946 he attended Ventura Junior College where he served as Student Body President. He then attended the University of Southern California where he graduated with a degree in International Business. In 1950 he married his beloved wife, Maxine. He worked for Santa Barbara Savings and Loan for a few years before he was appointed a State Farm Insurance agent for the Ojai area. He and Maxine lovingly raised their three sons in Ojai. He retired from State Farm in 1995 after 44 years as an agent in Ojai.
Boyd was active in serving the Ojai community. He served on the Ojai Planning Commission and as Chair of the Ojai Parks and Recreation Commission. He was a member of the Ojai Rotary Club for over 50 years including a term as president. Boyd was the Ojai City Treasurer for 18 years and served as elder in the Ojai Presbyterian Church. He also served on the Ojai Civic Association, actively involved in providing grants for many capital improvement projects throughout Ojai. Boyd greatly enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid golfer, hunter, fisherman, and swimmer; he was a long-time member of the Ojai Masters Swim Team. Most of all Boyd loved and enjoyed his family. He was humble and kind, warm and welcoming to all he met and relished time with his many friends.
Boyd was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Maxine Shannon, and sons, Martin, and Dennis. He is survived by his wife, Gwen; his sister, Nadine Perry; son, Brian and his wife Christine and their three children, Kevin, Shelley and Cara; his daughter-in-law, Marcia (Martin) and her son Travis; his daughter-in-law, Linda (Dennis); five great-grandchildren and family and friends who loved him.
True to his nature Boyd requested there not be a service. The family will have a private interment at the Ojai Presbyterian Church. To honor Boyd please consider a donation in his name to the Ojai Presbyterian Church, the Ojai Rotary Club, or another Ojai organization of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of the JOSEPH P. REARDON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICE, Ventura.