Obituary of Michael Ford

Michael John Ford, Sr., retired Ranch Foreman, of Salinas, died of natural causes Friday, January 2, 2009 at the Palo Alto Veteran's Adminstration Hospital. He was 90. Mr. Ford was born in Castroville, California and lived in or near Salinas his entire life. He was an avid sports fisherman and enjoyed a number of hobbies, including raising exotic fish and birds. He also gardened and always kept a tleast one companion dog, ranging in size from Dalmation to Miniature Poodle. During his 45 year career in local agriculture, he participated in major changes in the industry. In the 1930's , he cultivated the fields using a horse team. Later, he drive many types and sizes of tractors. At the time of his retirement in the 1980's, he was serving as a ranch foreman for the Jack T. Baillie Company. He communicated with the office by radio from his pickup as he supervised the equipment operators using laser technology to level the fields. He served as aleader of the Natividad 4-H Club and received the Silver Clover award in 1958. He helped with the sheep and poultry projects organizing the poultry show at the King City Fair for several years. He also belonged to the Salinas Ike Walton Club and won several awards for catching the largest fish. He enjoyed volunteering to help in the Optimist Club "Hooked on Fishing" fishing derby for young people. Mr. Ford served in the United States Army as a Construction Equipment Mechanic for the 400th Engineer Maintenance Co., 27th Infantry Division. He received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal aand the World War II Victory Medal. He was a member of V.F.W. Post #6849. He is a sixth generation descendant of several of the Spanish families that came to California in the 18th Century, most notably, the Espinosas, Castros and Borondas. The first Espinosa arrived with Captain Portola and Father Serra in 1769. Later generations of these families received land grants in what is now Monterey County. A number of places, including the town of Castroville, perpetuate these family names. He is predeceased by his loving wife, Helen (Weeks) Ford, brothers; Ernest, William and Walter Castro, sister Eldora Ryder. Mr. Ford is survived by his sons; Michael, Jr., David and Nina, all of Salinas. His grandson, Ruben of Salinas; his brothers, Robert of Salinas, and Lawrence Castro of Chesapeake, Ohio,; his sisters, Frances Reid of Cottonwood and Ethel Hevner of Salinas. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive. In Mr. Ford's memorey , contributions may be made to: S.P.C.A. P.O. Box 3058 Monterey, CA 93942