Alfonzo Lamarr Ford

Friday, October 12, 2012

Mr. Alfonzo Lamarr Ford was born May 26, 1959, at the Blytheville Air Force Base Hospital in Gosnell, to Oscar Ford Jr. and Faye Maxine Williams Ford. He departed this life Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, at Methodist Hospital in Houston.

Al, as he was affectionately called, was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Oscar Sr. and Lula E. Ford; and his maternal grandparents, Milton "Mitt" and Annie Vanwinkle Williams.

He united with Enoch Chapel A.M.E. in Blytheville and later united with a Pentecostal church in Houston, where he attended faithfully.

Al was a 1977 graduate of Gosnell High School, where he was a member of the football team and the band. After high school, he attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. Al began his career at Southwestern Bell (currently AT&T) in Blytheville as a lineman and transferred to Houston, where he later became a Senior Contract Manager, and remained employed with AT&T Network Operations until the time of his death.

Al was an adventurous man. His love of fishing and hunting began at the age of three. He began fishing off of the front porch in Dell when it rained. Al will never be forgotten for having a pet alligator and a snake in the family home in Calumet. He discovered his love for hunting with his family in Brinkley. As an adult, Al spent many days shark fishing on his boat and hunting on his ranch in Houston. Some of his fishing expeditions resulted in trophies, prizes and television appearances.

Al's favorite book of the Bible was Job. He requested his mother read it to him while he was in the hospital.

He leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Oscar and Faye Maxine Ford of Calumet;

His sister, Armetris L. Ford of Atlanta and Blytheville;

His daughter, Nayana Monique Ford Guyton of Memphis; and

A host of aunts, uncles, cousins, friends,and other relatives.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church, the Rev. Johnnie E. Moore, Pastor. Visitation will be held from noon until the services begin. Burial, officiated by the Rev. Larry Guyton, will follow at Gethsemane Gardens. Arrangements are by McDonald-Horne Funeral Home of Blytheville.