Larry J. Ford, 88, of Coldwater passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, July 5, 2026.
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dutcher Funeral Home.
Larry was born March 28, 1938 in Coldwater to Harold and Helen (Voorhees) Ford. February 4, 1989 he married Angeline J. Ribar, who survives.
Larry dedicated 34 years to the field of education, leaving a lasting impact on countless students, athletes, and colleagues throughout his distinguished career. During those years, he served as a teacher, coach, building principal, and superintendent, spending 28 years in educational leadership.
His career took him across Michigan and beyond, serving as superintendent of Morrice Area Schools in Morrice, Michigan, and Ontonagon Area School District in Ontonagon, Michigan. He also served as site administrator for the Lower Kuskokwim School District in Bethel, Alaska, and previously as a principal, teacher, and coach at Pellston Public Schools, as well as a teacher for Charlevoix Public Schools and Kiowa County Public Schools.
Larry believed deeply in the value of education and lifelong learning, earning more than 400 college credit hours through studies at Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, Central Michigan University, the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Montana State University, and the University of Alaska campuses in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Fairbanks-Kuskokwim, and Southeast.
Away from his professional life, Larry was an avid outdoorsman and passionate collector. He enjoyed hunting and took great pride in his collections of duck decoys, Lionel trains, and firearms. Whether searching for the next unique addition to his collections or spending time outdoors, Larry found joy in pursuing the hobbies he loved.
Larry attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater.
Larry will be remembered for his dedication to education, his commitment to lifelong learning, his appreciation for history and craftsmanship through his collections, and the many lives he influenced throughout his career.
Larry is survived by his wife, Angeline “Angie” Ford; his children Elizabeth (Chuck) Sherman, Michael “Mike” (Brenda) Ford; his siblings Jerry (Mary Ann) Ford, Shelley Ford (Thomas) Muldoon, Gary Lynd; his grandchildren Charles Sherman, Dallas (Char) Sherman, Ashlynn Sherman, Brendyn Ford; his nieces and nephews Michelle (Mark) Szymczak, Denise Royer, Devin Ford, Rita (Brian) Muldoon-Laccone, Elissa (Peter) Shultz, Nathanial Lynd, Timothy Lynd, Avery Lynd, Aria Lynd; and many loving great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Harold S. Ford, Helen E. Lynd, and step father Tim Lynd.
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