Archie Thomas Ford's Obituary
Archie Thomas Ford of Fort Myers, Florida passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2017 with his loving family by his side following a lengthy illness. He was 94 years old.Archie was born in Plant City, Florida on January 30, 1923, the proud son of Cozy Gertrude (Kinard) and Oma A. FordArchie had 4 siblings, one brother, Earl Gordon Ford and three sisters, Ollie Varnadoe, Omadell Schnieder and Gladys Morrison. After graduating from Plant City High School in 1941, Archie set out to find his fortune. While working in Ft. Lauderdale, as a Government Ordinance Inspector in 1943, for Birmingham Ordinance Department, he was drafted into the United States Navy, where he served his country as a Mailman, Second Class, for three years, one month and eleven days. He was honorably discharged in 1946. During his active service in the Navy, Archie’s parents relocated to Fort Myers, where they opened and operated Ford Flowers on 1st Street. In 1947, after leaving the Navy, Archie reunited with his parents in Fort Myers and enrolled at Edison College, then located in Buckingham (East Fort Myers). While attending Edison College, Archie met and married his English/Typing teacher, Olive Briggs Belgarde in 1948. They were both active members of the Fort Myers First Methodist Church on 1st Street. Soon after his marriage to Olive, Archie began managing Morrison and S.S. Cafeterias in Louisanna and Georgia before returning to Fort Myers and buying half interest in the Edison Cafeteria with Agnes Rhodes. He also opened and operated the Lamplighter Cafeterias in Ft. Myers and Naples. After leaving the restaurant business, he went on to obtain his Realtors license and was a very successful business man in Fort Myers and the surrounding area. During his time in Fort Myers, Archie was associated with many civic groups and organizations. He was a member of the Elks and Kiwanas Clubs, past president of the S.W.F. Restaurant Association, and served of the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. He was most proud of being a 63 year member of the Masons, Scottish Rite 32 degree and perpetual member and charter member in the Shrine Club. Archie leaves behind 2 step children, Van Belgarde and Linda Belgarde Fetterhoff; 5 grandchildren, Cheryl Hubbard Webb (Jim), Amy Bouvier McMahan (Kyle), Monica Fetterhoff Warner (James), Mark Belgarde and Michael Thomas Fetterhoff (Shay): 10 great-grandchildren, Jared Hubbard, Joshua Warner, Justin Hubbard (Kaylee), Jacob Warner (Emily), Jacob Bouvier (Sage), Bonnie Bouvier Bowman (Dillon), Jonathan Bouvier, Brock McMahan, Brooks Fetterhoff and Caden Fetterhoff; 2 precious great great grandson’s, Jason Bowman and Davis Neil Warner. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, grandson Bruce Belgarde and his beloved wife Olive. Archie also leaves to mourn, the second love of his life, Ms. Jane Hipps, who he shared his life with for the past 27 years. They worshiped together at Cypress Lake Methodist Church. Memorial Services for Archie will be celebrated by his family and shall be private in accordance with his wishes. He will thereafter be laid to rest at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Cemetery inside the Masonic Garden during a ceremony scheduled at the convenience of the family.There will be a Celebration of Life service at Barkley Place, 36 Barkley Circle, Fort Myers, 33907, on Monday, 8/14/17 at 4:30 p.m. To share a story or photo, leave a tribute or to offer condolences to the family at this difficult time please visit Archie’s memorial webpage at www.fortmyersmemorial.com and sign his guestbook.To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Archie Thomas Ford please visit our Sympathy Store.
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