SIOUX CITY | Troy Jeffry Ford, 52, of Sioux City died Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at a Sioux City hospital, from injuries he suffered from a hit and run car accident.
Troy was born on Nov. 7, 1962, in Sioux City, to Richard and Kay (Klein) Ford. Troy attended South Sioux City schools until high school when he moved to Sioux City and attended North High ('81), where he played varsity basketball and club basketball. Growing up, Troy loved to swim with his brothers.
One of Troy's loves was slow pitch softball and the many friends and teammates he met over nearly 25 years of playing. In one summer, Troy played almost 170 games. He belonged to four leagues and two complexes. He roamed the outfield for many top teams in Siouxland before moving to pitcher in the last eight years where he earned the nickname "The Butcher" because he threw so much meat. Usually the lead off hitter in the lineup, he would often turn a single into a double. He was a coach's dream and a player's player. Troy was also an avid hunter.
In the 1980s Troy was married to his high school sweetheart Lisa Lee, together they had a son Chad.
In 1996, he married his biggest fan and perfect match, Liz Washburn (North High '79). Over the next 19 years they traveled, loved to cook, boated and adored their favorite thing, the family dogs. Troy was a man giving to many and helping anyone in need.
Survivors include his loving wife, Liz Ford of Sioux City; son Chad (Shasta) Ford, 5 granddaughters and a grandson; his sweet sissy, Myah; his mother, Kay Ford of South Sioux City; his father, Richard Ford of North Sioux City; brothers, Scott Ford of South Sioux City, Kirk and Deb Ford of Spring Texas, Brent Ford and Angie Moffatt of Hinton Iowa, and Chris Ford of Orange Calif.; stepbrothers, Stacie Ford and Steve Ford; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Robert and Helen Klein and Richard and Dorothy Ford.
Sioux City Family Mourns The Death Of Troy Ford
Sioux City, IA (ABC9 News) - The Ford family of Sioux City has said their goodbyes to a victim of a hit and run on Saturday.
52-year-old Troy Ford was run over by 25-year-old Dustin Suppi of South Sioux City, after attempting
to make contact with Suppi who was slumped over at the wheel of his truck. According to officials, Suppi did wake up and sped away, hitting Troy with his trailer filled with lawn care equipment.
Wednesday, a funeral was held at the Central Baptism Church in Sioux City in celebration of Ford's life.
Hearts were heavy Wednesday when family and friends of Troy Ford gathered into Central Baptist Church to honor his life.
"When we woke up Saturday morning, this was probably the last place, the last thought, we would have had on our minds." said Reverend Lloyd Grant. "We've all been going through the last number of days thinking 'This can't be real!'"
However, that nightmare has come true for this Siouxland family. Troy's death hasn't only affected the Ford family, but the Siouxland Community as a whole. The Ford Family also says they don't want Troy to be remembered by what happened to him on Saturday, but also the true meaning of his life.
"Troy was a natural for just being so positive." said Troy's brother Brent. "And being so fun loving. And he was so giving. And that was the way he was. And we want to remember him how he lived ."
Brent says even though he is gone, Troy will live forever in his memory. During the service, Pastor Lloyd Grant took his opportunity to share with those who attended one memory, Troy's wife will always remember.
"Liz shared with me of how she came home after a very difficult day. Some folks had passed away, not an easy day in the medical profession. And Troy was dressed up like one of the characters from MADTV and was singing silly songs." said Reverend Grant. "You know, you tell those stories and laugh, or scratch your head like 'Why did he do that?'"
Through all of the grieving, Brent says his brother has taught him something he will never forget.
"Cherish the ones that you love the most. Because, you know, today could be it." added Brent.
Troy's body has been buried in Memorial Park Cemetery.
