of Dexter, Michigan, age 86, passed away on August 10, 2018, at the Cedars of Dexter. He was born September 11, 1931 in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of H. Barton & Grace (Mathews) Ford.
Tom was raised in Battle Creek, MI. He attended Michigan State University and received his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1957 with a M.S. degree in 1959. Tom entered the United States Air Force flight training program in 1953 and was part of the class 55K and the Veterinary Corps. In 1964, he became part of the University of Michigan Animal Care Unit and was granted Diplomate in Laboratory Animal Medicine status. Soon after he was hired by Abbott Laboratories in North Chicago, IL to be Manager of Animal Care and remained there until his retirement in 1995. Tom enjoyed flying, sports, and military history. He was an avid tennis player his entire life and played actively until his death.
In 1959, he married Hedwig “Heidi” Geiger, and she survives. Other survivors include a son, James M. Ford of California; a daughter, Elizabeth A. (Andy) Wolber of Ann Arbor; a granddaughter, Katie Wolber; a sister, Barbara (Roger) Miller; one niece, and two nephews.
Interment will be in Lake Forest, IL and services are private.