Henry Jay Ford

Henry Jay Ford, also known as "Sonny" by his family, passed away on November 18, 2022 in Visalia, CA. He was 84 years old. Henry was born to Henry and Lois Ford on June 14, 1938 in Hanford, CA. Henry grew up in Stratford, CA and was the oldest of three children. He attended Stratford Elementary School and then graduated from Lemoore High School in 1956. After high school he attended West Hills Community College in Coalinga and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Before completing his college degree, Henry was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a Heavy Weapons Infantryman at Fort Ord, CA. He was honorably discharged in 1963 and continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1967. While attending Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Henry met the love of his life, Falacia "Sue" (Gaydon) Ford. Henry and Sue were married on June 27, 1964 in Carmichael, CA. They welcomed their first child, daughter Sherry, on September 7, 1967 and their second child, son Jay, on August 30, 1970. The family lived in Kingsburg, CA and Porterville, CA before moving permanently to Visalia, CA 1973. Henry worked as a delivery driver for Petrolane in Porterville, then as a maintenance mechanic for Adohr Farms in Tulare before transferring to Kraft in Visalia where he retired in 1997. After his retirement both Henry and Sue became drivers for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Visalia. They also traveled with their RV and took many trips with family and friends. Henry had a love for all things mechanical. He was well known as a man who could build or fix anything. He also had a love for the great outdoors. He took his family on many memorable camping adventures throughout a lot of the country, including several trips to visit family in Arkansas. Henry also enjoyed spending time on his boat where the family spent time fishing and water skiing. He also spent many enjoyable hours riding his Honda Trail 90 with friends in the Mojave Desert. At home, Henry was an avid gardener. The Ford Family home was known to have some of the best homegrown fruits and vegetables around. He was especially known for his amazing oranges that many of his family and friends have enjoyed for nearly 50 years. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Lois Ford. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Falacia "Sue" Ford; Daughter Sherry (Dan) Albright; Son Jay (Micheala) Ford; Grandson Justin (Justine) Albright; Granddaughters Shelby Ford, Samantha Ford and Danielle Albright; Brother Brian (June) Ford; Sister Betty (Ray) Dias; along with nieces, nephews and many friends. Visitation will be held 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Friday, December 16th, 2022 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Graveside services will be held 12:00 PM Friday, December 16th, 2022 at Visalia District Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Henry Jay Ford

June 14, 1938 - November 18, 2022