Truxton King "T.K." Ford, 99, died Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.
Born May 1, 1923, in California, he was the son of Elizabeth Frances (Hinman) and Earl Leighton Ford. T.K. was one of three children. On May 13, 1945, he married Ruth Mitchell in Coronado, California. Together they had four children. She later passed on July 8, 1986. After many years, he met Virginia Tutor and they married in Burlington, Iowa, on July 14, 2001. She later passed on January 5, 2018.
He graduated from North Platte High School in May of 1941, but missed the graduation ceremony because he enlisted in the Navy before turning 18 and had signed up for the "kiddie cruise." The school left a spot open for him on the stage and his mother accepted his diploma for him. He was a United States Navy Veteran.
T.K. enlisted in the United States Navy on April 14, 1941, as an Apprentice Seaman. On August 4, 1941, he began AMM (Aviation Machinists Mate) School in Jacksonville, FL. He was promoted to Seaman Second Class on August 25, 1941. He graduated from AMM on November 22, 1941 and on November 25, 1941 he was sent to the Naval Receiving Station in Norfolk, VA where he was ultimately assigned to the U.S.S. Yorktown, CV-5, an aircraft carrier.
On December 7, 1941, T.K. was in Norfolk, VA, when the attack on Pearl Harbor demanded that the U.S.S. Yorktown head to the Pacific, first to the Battle of the Coral Sea and then to the Battle of Midway. T.K. was an AMM3C (Aviation Machinists Mate 3rd Class) and a Plane Handler in the Battle of the Coral Sea as part of the VF-42. After the Battle of the Coral Sea, all enlisted men from the VF-42 became part of Jimmy Thach's VF-3 squadron. T.K. then became an AMM2C and Plane Captain for a fighter plane in the Battle of Midway. During battle, the Yorktown was severely damaged by bombs and torpedoes and eventually had to be abandoned by its crew. T.K. was eventually picked up by the destroyer U.S.S. Russell, DD414. Following the Battle of the Coral Sea, T.K. was offered an appointment to Annapolis by Lt. Richard Crommelin, but opted instead for flight school. Between the Battle of Midway and flight school, T.K. briefly served in Ed "Butch" O'Hare's squadron, meeting and shaking hands with Butch on one occasion.
T.K. came out of flight school as an AP1C (Aviation Pilot 1st Class). He flew as an AP1C (enlisted pilot with wings) until sometime in 1943 when an ALNAV offered a commission to pilots if they met certain standards. T.K., as a result, was commissioned as an Ensign. He flew the rest of the war as a utility pilot. After flying for some time as an Ensign, and after the war, there was another ALNAV which resulted in T.K. being temporarily assigned as a Lt. J.G. Although a career in the Navy was the original plan, with his first child on the way and no furlough or married housing available, T.K. resigned his commission as a temporary Lt. J.G., going back to Chief Aviation Pilot to go out on points. He then accepted assignment in the Naval Reserve as Lt. J.G. T.K. was proud of his achievement of having served in all enlisted pay grades.
Following the war, he attended college and law school at the University of North Dakota, thereafter moving to Burlington, IA, first to manage National Research Bureau and then to practice law. T.K. served several terms as the Des Moines County Attorney. During his 42-year general practice of law, he was the defense attorney in a number of high profile murder cases. T.K.'s daughter, Merry, practiced law with him for the last 22 years of his practice. He retired in 1999.
For recreation, he climbed a number of mountains, including but not limited to, Mount Rainer, the Grand Teton, and Long's Peak. He also hiked solo 115 miles along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, and in a different trip, hiked solo 210 miles along the Muir Trail in California, which ended with the climbing of Mount Whitney. He also liked to go white water rafting and traveled extensively.
Survivors include his children, Jan (Les) Edwards of Lincoln, NE, Merry (Jim) Wiseman of Burlington, IA, and Daniel (LuAnn Godlove) Ford of Wellman, IA; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
Besides his wives, he is preceded in death by his parents and son, T.K. "King" Ford, brothers, Erle Ford and Robert Ford.
The memorial service for Mr. Ford will be 1:00 PM Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division, Burlington, Iowa. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the Service.
A memorial has been established for Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.