Farewell, President Ford
By: Jessica Bunke

On December 26, 2006, former President Gerald Ford passed away at the age of 93 years. Due to Fords failing health, the whole family came together to celebrate Christmas one last time before he passed away the following day. The state funeral and memorial services were held at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. on January 2. A day later, a final memorial was held for President Ford at the Grace Episcopal Church in East Grand Rapids, MI. Afterwards, he was laid to rest at his Presidential Museum in his hometown of Grand Rapids, MI.

Ford was born as Leslie Lynch King, Jr. on July 14, 1913, in Omaha, Nebraska. As a baby, his parents separated and his mother, Dorothy Gardner, took him and moved to Grand Rapids, MI. It was there that she married Gerald Rudolph Ford and began calling her son Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. It wasnt until 1935 when he changed his name legally.

Growing up, Ford was active in sports and scouting. He joined the Boy Scouts of America and rose to the highest level offered in the Boy Scouts, Eagle rank. Ford was the only President to be an Eagle Scout. At Grand Rapids South High School, he was a top athlete and team captain for the high school football team. He was chosen for the All-City team of the Grand Rapids City League in 1930. Later, he played for the University of Michigan as center and linebacker for the football team. He helped the Wolverines to achieve undefeated seasons and national championships in 1932 and 1933. In 1994, the University of Michigan retired Fords #48 jersey.

After college, Ford declined contract offers from the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers to pick up a coaching position at Yale University and to continue his education in law there. Graduating from law school in 1941, Gerald opened his own law practice with his friend, Philip Buchen, in May of that same year.

Fords plans didnt stay that way. He enlisted into the Navy after the Pearl Harbor attack during World War II. Ford served aboard the aircraft carrier, the Monterey, from June 1943 to December 1944 as the carriers assistant navigator, Athletic Director, and antiaircraft battery officer. In April of 1945, he was staffed at the Naval Reserve Training Command, Naval Air Station in Illinois, working as the Staff Physical and Military Training Officer till January 1946. Ford was released from active duty on February 23, 1946.

Two years after his release from duty, Ford was married to Elizabeth Bloomer Warren at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan on October 15, 1948. Also during this time, Ford began campaigning for his career of thirteen terms in the U.S. House of Representatives for a total of twenty-four years. In 1963, he was elected Minority Leader by the Republicans of the House and served for eight years.

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned from office and President Nixon turned to congressional leaders for a possible replacement. In a unanimous agreement, congressional leaders chose Gerald Ford and confirmed him as Vice President on October 12, 1973. A year later, President Nixon resigned from office after the Watergate Scandal and Ford was sworn into the Presidential office on August 9, 1974. He was the only person to hold the position of President and Vice President without ever being elected. Ford ran for the 1976 election for the Republican Party, but lost to the Democratic Nominee, Jimmy Carter.

President Ford led an active and purposeful life in his service to America and winning the respect and acknowledgement of many congressional leaders and citizens of this country for his fair leadership and his role as a negotiator between members of congress. Well miss you President Gerald Ford. Thank You.

