RICK FORD

    Rickey Alan Ford, 56, of Heavener, OK passed away Wednesday, June 12, 2013 in Muskogee, OK.  Rick was born August 12, 1956 in Poteau, OK to Eual John & Patsy Ruth (Tucker) Ford.  He and Betty Mead were married February 23, 1979.  He was Deputy Warden at Jim E. Hamilton Correctional Center since 2010.  JEHCC is a minimum security facility with over 700 offenders.  Mr. Ford was overseer of the daily operations.

    Deputy Warden Ford began his career with the department in 1983 as a correctional officer; he was promoted to Correctional Counselor in 1987; Administrative Officer in 1990; Correctional Case Manager Supervisor in 1994; in 1997 was named Assistant Training Administrator at the Center for Correctional Officer Studies in Wilburton, OK; transferred to JEHCC in July 2001 to assume the position of  Unit Manager serving until he was named Deputy Warden.

   Rick was a member of the American Correctional Assoc, Southern States Correctional Assoc, member and former President of Oklahoma Correctional Assoc.  He was active in the community; former Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman & Secretary of Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma; former board member and past chairman of the board for Heavener Chamber of Commerce as well as serving as President and Vice President; former Advisory Board member of Mid-America Bible College; member of Heavener Lodge No. 154 of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Bedouin Shriners AAONMS of Muskogee, OK

     Rick completed Management III, Executive Level for Administration of Jails.  He holds an Assoc. of Arts Business Admin. Degree from CASC, Poteau; BS in Business Admin. from SOSU, Durant; and completed Leadership LeFlore County in 2010.

    Rick was preceded in death by his sister, Lori Bullard; grandparents, Roy & Anna Ford, Alta Mae & Narvel Tucker; brother in law, Mike Mead; nephews, Patrick & Spencer Lynch; father in law, N.R. “Jelly” Mead.

     Survivors include his wife, Betty of the home; Son & daughter in law, John & Natalie Ford; daughter & son in law, Jenna & Joe Wiles all of Poteau; 5 grandchildren, Connor May, Kaylee May, Dylan, Jacob & Dawson Wiles; parents, Eual & Pat Ford of Wister, OK; sisters & brothers in law, Jeanne & James Lynch of  Poteau, OK, June Warren of Lakeland, FL, Patricia Deville, Phyllis & Jimmy Goodnight all of Wister; brother & sister in law, Lester & Sheryl Ford of Wister, OK; special mother in law, Betty Mead of Heavener, OK; brothers in law, Bobby Mead, Roger Mead, Gary Mead of Heavener, and Glenn Mead of Purcell, OK; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives & loved ones; many friends.

     Services will be 10 am, Monday, June 17, 2013 at First Baptist Church, Heavener, OK with Rev. Sam Dyer officiating.  Interment will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Poteau, OK.  Pallbearers will be Donnie, Roger & Bobby Mead, Joe Hemphill, Jackie Linville, Jon Pickel.  Honorary pallbearer will be Lester Ford.