LaRue R. Ford:  A Life Well Lived

The true measure of a man is the impact he has had on the world and the people left behind. A loving host of family, friends, and a community shaped by his presence and his support is proof that Deacon LaRue Rayfield Ford lived a life worth living. LaRue Rayfield Ford was born on June 28, 1937 to James Johnny Ford and Lula Mae Ford-Jordan in Jacksonville Florida. Mr. Ford was born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida and moved to Miami, Florida where he attended Dorsey Junior High School which later became Miami Northwestern Senior High School. While at Miami Northwestern, Mr. Ford played guard for the football team, was a miler for the track team, a member of the Jabberwock Acting Club, and a member of the Boys' Leadership Council.  LaRue Ford was a member of the Historical Class of 1956 which is the first graduating class of Miami Northwestern Senior High School. He affectionately called himself a "FIRST BULL."  He served as the president of his class, a class which has, over the years, raised thousands of dollars for scholarships and donations for the students of Miami Northwestern.

After graduating from Miami Northwestern Senior High School, Mr. Ford attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology. He has also completed graduate work in Guidance and Counseling, Social Work, and Public Administration at Florida Atlantic University.

After graduating from Southern University, he was drafted by the United States Army.  While in the U.S. Army, LaRue served as a military policeman for three years in Yakima, Washington.  During this time, in 1959, LaRue met the love of his life, Georgena Gloria Davis on a "blind date." According to his loving wife, Mr. Ford said that he had been blind ever since.  They married on December 30, 1962 after seeing each other for about 20 days over a three year period. To this union were born three beautiful daughters:  Lori Nicole Ford-Bailey, Gina Lanise Ford, and Kim Makeba Ford-White. LaRue was employed as a Miami Dade County Juvenile Probation Officer, a Head Start Social Worker, and as a visiting teacher counselor and coordinator in the Title 1 Instructional Program with Miami Dade County Public Schools.

In the early to mid-1960s, Mr. Ford worked as a social service planner for the Dade County Model City Program. As a Social Service planner, Mr. Ford was responsible for the planning of the Joseph Caleb Building Project, the Emergency Housing Center, the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center and the development of a childcare program - all of which are still thriving in our community today.  His work as a community leader and voice for the people was with the support of the Miami Dade County community for funding.

Later, as an Executive Director for a non-profit organization called the Edison Little River Self Help Program, he was responsible for meeting the needs of residents impacting employment, community services, youth programs and writing grants through local, state, and federal agencies for sustaining such programs. He also worked in other non-profit organizations such as the Jessie Trice Family Health Center, the State of Florida Juvenile Child Welfare Division, and the Community Mental Health Center in Little Havana, Florida.

In 1987, during his Christian experience he transferred membership from Salter's Chapel AME Church to New Way Fellowship Baptist Church in Miami Gardens, Florida. He was ordained as a deacon on December 31, 1989. As s servant leader, for over 30 years, he served as a Deacon, Leader of Social Services, member of the We Care Ministry, Christian Men's Bible Fellowship, and lead teacher for the Senior Adult Men's School of the Bible Class. He continued his work as a part of the Door Keepers Ministry, Monday Noonday Prayer Ministry, and leader for the New Members' Orientation.  He also volunteered with the Kairos Prison Ministry and Sonshine Via De Cristo Men's Division. Mr. Ford's focus has always been as a servant of God whether in the church, school, or community. He enjoyed assisting the homeless, the elderly, juveniles, and others in need of his referrals, support, and guidance.

Mr. Ford was the former president of the Southern University Alumni of South Florida, a member of the Miami Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated, former President of the Monterey Homeowners Association, member of Citizen's Crime Watch, the Christian Men's Breakfast Fellowship Club, the North County Buccaneers, Senior Retirees and Friends, and the AARP Chapter 5132. As a member of the Miami Northwestern Alumni Association, he organized several community church services held at the school during which prominent deacons, ministers, and politicians who were Northwestern graduates participated.  For his outstanding service to the community, in 2020, he was inducted into the Miami Northwestern Senior High School Hall of Fame. Mr. Ford enjoyed fishing, grilling, watching sports and westerns, gardening, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family   especially with his grandchildren.

After a very brief period of illness, on Tuesday, March 19, the Lord called Deacon LaRue R. Ford to eternal rest. He leaves to mourn his wife of 61 years, Georgena (Gena) Ford; Children, Lori Ford-Bailey, Gina Lanise Ford, Kim Ford-White (Chandler), Schekena Sims, and Keith Williams (Kecia) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Grandchildren:  Danielle Bailey, Nigel White, Amaya White, Morris Sales, and Diamond Colebrook;  Brothers In Law: Rodney Pinder (Kay) and Brent Jenkins, Sister–in-law, Donna Pinder, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godchildren, close friends, and honorary daughters and sons.