Eldon O. Ford, age 77, died Monday, February 1, 2021, at his home in North Platte, NE, with family at his bedside.
Eldon was born May 9, 1943, the son of Martin and Myrtle (Troxell) Ford in Sabetha, KS. Eldon attended Sabetha schools and became a well-respected athlete early on as an underclassman. As promising as his sports opportunity might have been, school gave way to his love for the open road as he became an over-the-road operator. Eldon's safe driving record and total miles driven measured into the millions and he was awarded a safety supervisor position with Consolidated Freightways for a period of time.
Eldon was married to Sharon Wetzel and had three children, Traci, Kimberly and Rodney. He was a gifted "tinkerer" whose workshop was always full of equipment under repair for friends and family. Camping and deer hunting with his son and friends also became a passion later in life.
Eldon was a member of Platte Valley Lodge #32 AF&AM and the Norht Platte Shrine Club. Eldon was a well-respected, hard-working, long-term North Platte resident who appreciated what he had, loved his family and friends, and would do anything to help others, expecting nothing in return. He will be missed greatly by all.
He is survived by his children, Traci (Curt) Robertson, of Peru, NE, Kimberly (Doyle) Duggan, of Dickens, NE, and Rodney Ford, of Auburn, NE; and brother, Warren (Debra) Ford, of Broomfield, CO. He was also blessed with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Eldon was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Myrtle Ford; and granddaughter, Courtney.
A Celebration of Eldon's life with Masonic Rites will be at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Odean Colonial Chapel in North Platte, Nebraska with Pastor Mark Baldwin officiating. Any special message or remembrance may be shared with the family at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore in North Platte is in charge of arrangements.