Francis John Ford

Francis John Ford Jr, 68 of Phoenix, Arizona passed away on May 21, 2018. Fran was born in Allentown, PA into a military family and was the eldest boy of nine kids. Fran’s family moved constantly around the globe as he progressed through elementary, middle, and high school. His love of golf earned a scholarship to play for the University of Texas, where he earned an economics degree. His career started in the sporting goods industry and he quickly progressed through the ranks and expanded into other retail industries like jewelry, crystal, awards and eventually finding his home in promotional products. He spent nearly 40 years in the industry, dedicating his life to form lasting friendships, building networks and shaping others’ success. Fran was president of Castelli, a Sparks, Nevada-based Division of industry supplier Magnet LLC. He has given a lifetime of service to the industry and his community, being recognized extensively throughout the various Groups and Associations in which he served. Despite the recognition he earned, Fran has always been more about selfless service and building networks of friends versus promoting his own career. His military upbringing instilled the value and appreciation for connecting with people and making friendships, which was always a challenge given the constant moves from his youth. Thousands view Fran as a mentor and lifelong friend. Fran married Theresa Roberts in August of 2005. He resided in Phoenix with Theresa and her three kids Tiffany, Lauren, and Kenny. Fran was dedicated to his wife Theresa, unconditionally. In every conversation you had with Fran, he would make sure to include Theresa in some way, shape or form. In his spare time, he enjoyed cooking, particularly on his new outdoor kitchen and BBQ, spending evenings with friends swapping stories. He was also passionate about playing golf, following the Cowboys, the Horns, helping others and travelling the globe with family and friends. Fran battled cancer for nine years--never wanting people to say he “put up a great fight.” He wanted to keeping living his life and focusing on showing his friends and family how much he loved them. He was an inspiration to so many as he always had a story to tell, a smile on his face, a hug to give, and a willingness to give a helping hand. Fran is survived by his wife Theresa and her three children Tiffany, Lauren, Kenny. He is survived by immediate family, Ray Zimmerman (husband of deceased sister Lorraine Zimmerman), Matthew (brother), Michael (brother), Leslie (sister) and Dan Hackett and family, Lisa (sister) and Dub Winn and family, Patricia Ford(sister) and Jim Caler and family, Mary Hansen (sister) and family, and Jim (brother) and Kathleen Ford and family. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018 on Wednesday, May 30 at 10:00 am followed by a celebration of life at the Arizona Country Club, 5668 East Orange Blossom Lane, Phoenix, Arizona 85018 in the ballroom at 11:15 am. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the following PPEF scholarship, Honoring Fran Ford, CAS. To make a pledge contact Sara Besly at sarahb@ppai.org or 972-258-3097. Please include the amount to be pledged and Sara will follow up with you. https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/PPEF/FranFord.html Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the family.

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Memorial Mass

St Theresa Catholic Church

Wednesday May 30th, 2018

10:00am

Phoenix, AZ