Obituary of Leonard Harris Ford

“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing–to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from–my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” --C.S. Lewis

Leonard Harris Ford IV was called back Home on July 25, 2024. He was born on August 30, 1957 in Texas (though he was a Mainer and you could not tell him otherwise) to Leonard H. Ford III and Beverly Ann Goff Ford Treadwell. He was their first-born, and it was in Texas that his father gave him the nickname of Sam. Leonard and Beverly would go on to have three more boys, Joel, Neil, and Steven, and traveled all over the U.S. and Asia. Being an Air Force family gave them a unique opportunity to see places as a family that created memories they treasured and shared with us. They returned to Maine and settled permanently in Eddington, the historic hometown of the Fords. Sam’s dad passed shortly after returning to Eddington. Several years later Sam was blessed with a second father, Arthur Treadwell, known as Pa to the Ford boys. He was also blessed with two more brothers, Jason and James. He loved being a brother and being the big brother was a delight to him.

Sam had many adventures in the time the Lord gave him: he played football and was the Senior Class President at Brewer High school, graduating in 1975; he bided his time at the University of Maine at Orono until brother Joel graduated high school–then they became Airmen (in their father’s footsteps) and were stationed in Germany. When he returned home, he met his wife, Jacqueline, who he was married to for 43 years. 

Sam’s most favorite occupations were at EMMC as an OR Nursing attendant (the Ford boys are a compassionate bunch), and at Sears, where he really began to hone his skills as The Mayor.

Sam and Jackie were able to take many trips during their married life, including to the Dominican Republic, Washington D.C., Key West, and many trips to their beloved Hawaii. In all of those places, Sam used his Mayor-like qualities to make them friends from all over the world. 

His great love beyond his adventures was his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and the gifts that He gave him: his family, being husband, Dad, Papa, Uncle, Brother, and fishing trip coordinator. 

Those here celebrating his return Home are his loving wife, Jackie; his two children, Angelina Stearns and her husband, Andrew, and Leonard Ford V and his wife, Leah; five grandchildren, Leonard (Jack) VI, Jonah, and Emma Ford, Audrey and Arthur Stearns; uncle John Ford and his wife, Marie; sister-in-law, Judy Ford, brothers Steven Ford and his wife, Catherine, Jason Treadwell and his wife, Vicki, and James Treadwell; father-in-law Jack Dinsmore; very special niece Shannon Richard and her husband, Moses; extra special second mother to the entire FordWell clan, Syliva Decker, and her husband, Donald; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, nephews, and great-greats! We are a big family and he truly loved each and every one of them.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Joel and Neil, and his great-nephew, Daniel Ford-Coates.

We invite you all to celebrate with us on Saturday, August 10th at 11:00 am at the East Eddington Community Church, 1410 Main Road, Eddington. This celebration will be casual, and we encourage you to wear something Hawaiian to remember Sam. Fellowship and food, Sam’s two favorite things, will follow the celebration. There is so much more to say and share about him. We can’t wait to hear all your stories!

In lieu of flowers, gifts of memory may be made in his honor to Crossroads Christian Camp, P.O. Box 185, Eddington ME 04428.