Jessie "Bud" Ford

Jessie Clayton “Bud” Ford, 84 of Fort Sumner, NM passed on Sunday, December 4, 2011 while at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Amarillo, TX. Bud was born June 18, 1927 in Springlake, TX to the home of Ervin and Quincy (Gravlee) Ford. He was reared in Arch and Portales, NM. He married Agnes L. Stelzig on August 27, 1948 in Portales, NM. Bud served in the U.S. Army from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1947. He worked as a cowboy for many years on several area ranches. He also worked for Slim Clifton and for K Barnett Construction. Bud was self employed for many years as a heavy equipment contractor grubbing mesquite. Bud had a love for horses, and as a young man participated in rodeos; he enjoyed training and owning race horses for many years. He taught his nieces, nephews and grandchildren to rope and ride. Bud was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association; New Mexico Horse Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club. Bud is preceded in death by his father Ervin in 1945, mother Quincy in 1951; a grandson Bandy Runyan in 2003; two sisters Garnita Joiner in 2001 and Wanita Council in 2004. Survivors include his wife of 63 years Agnes Ford of the family home in Fort Sumner; a daughter Patsy Runyan and husband Drew of Portales; a son Jesse Ford and wife Susan of Fort Sumner; two brothers Tommy Ford and wife Luella of Hobbs, NM; and Jackie Ford and wife Ann of Bosque Farms, NM. Also surviving are three grandsons Richard Ford, Franklin Ford, Quinton Ford and a granddaughter Crystal Boyd and husband Justin of Fort Sumner, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild along with a host of other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 11AM to 6PM at the funeral home. The casket will be open one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 8, 2011 from the First Baptist Church in Fort Sumner, interment will follow at 3:00 PM at the Portales Cemetery, Portales, NM. Rev. Sherman Martin will officiate assisted by Patsy Ford Runyan. Pallbearers will include Richard Ford, Frank Ford, Justin Boyd, Wayne Ford, James Joiner, J.D. Council, Ronnie McCord, and Cody McCord. Honorary bearers will include Eddie Ford, Jessie Council, Kyle Mobley, Jerry Dewbre, Stanley Martin, Knox Cortese, Albert Lopez, Pete Romero, Jimmy Collier, Frank Martz, Bud Lynn, and all his many close family and friends. Arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street; Fort Sumner, NM. (575) 355-2311. If you wish to place an online tribute or sign the guestbook please visit www.chavezfuneralhome.com