In Memory of Maurice Peyton Ford, Jr.
Memphis, Tennessee
December 11, 1921 to April 18, 2017

Maurice Peyton Ford Jr., 95, of Memphis, TN died April 18, 2017 at Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 11, 1921 in Memphis and was the son of Annie Laurie Arquitt and Maurice Peyton Ford Sr. Maurice was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Edna Carter Ford. His brother Edward Lee Ford and one sister Marguerite Agnes Ford Proebstel also preceded him in death. He is survived by one sister, Mary Catherine Ford Callicott. Maurice and Edna are survived by their four children, Bonnie Ford Davis of Vienna VA, Linda Ford Adams of Memphis, David Maurice Ford of Los Angeles, CA and Robert Peyton Ford of Brownsville, TN, 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

The Ford family moved to Capleville when Maurice was a child. It was there he met his life-long love, Edna. He graduated from South Side High School in Memphis. During World War II, he served in the Navy from 1942 to 1945 as an aviation machinist mate. Upon returning from the war in 1945, he and his brother Edward attended printing school in Nashville. Maurice worked at Goldbergers in Vicksburg, MS and then settled into a career of over 40 years at The Memphis Publishing Company where he worked on both the Memphis Press-Scimitar and The Commercial Appeal.

Maurice was well known for his strength of character, reliability, trustworthiness and integrity. These traits were reflected in all aspects of his life, from his work to his commitment to wife, family and friends. He was a man to whom family and friends could turn to for support in any circumstances. Maurice loved kids. Children knew him as playful, attentive, loving, patient and a great source of sweets. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying crappie fishing and duck hunting in the Mid-South and camping trips across the country. Maurice and Edna enjoyed music. He played clarinet and saxophone in high school and in Jimmie Mahannah''s band in the late 1930''s and early 1940''s. Maurice and Edna lived full, loving and long lives together at their home in Whitehaven.

Visitation will be Friday evening April 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. and the funeral service will be 2 p.m. Saturday April 22. Both will be held at the Forest Hill South Funeral Home and Cemetery. If preferred, in lieu of flowers the family suggests that contributions be made to a charity of your choice in Maurice''s name or that flowers be planted in your own garden in his honor.

Forest Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, South 901-346-3250