Obituary: Stephen Kelly Ford, 66, Hood River
Stephen grew up in Edgecliff, Texas (a small community outside Fort Worth) and was the oldest of three brothers. Adventure, Life Experiences, and Family were always a top priority in the Ford house; every summer, the family would road trip to new destinations, which always included visiting extended family.
Stephen preferred to spend most of his free time outdoors, making friends and creating adventures wherever possible. Whether riding his motorcycle or trying to teach the family walking horse to buck, Stephen was an instigator of fun and a lover of animals.
From a young age, Stephen was drawn to alternative sports like rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, rodeo, hockey, rugby, and windsurfing. During college, Stephen joined the pro rodeo circuit as a rough stock rider, where he attempted, sometimes successfully, to stay on bucking broncos bareback and riding bulls. Success meant bringing home a few belts, several knocked-out teeth, and usually just enough money to get him to the next event. Through rodeo, he made lifelong friends Stephen would always refer to as family.
During his early years, Stephen learned the value of hard work. Whether bucking hay, working in construction in the Texas heat, or driving heavy machinery, Stephen never shied away from the tough jobs, and he always found a way to “cowboy up and git R done!”
Stephen attended Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity; the University of Wyoming, where he earned a Bachelor of Science with a major in Geology; and Texas Christian University, where he studied Real Estate, Finance, and Accounting. An opportunity to take on a foreign assignment with General Dynamics prevented him from completing his master’s degree.
As a global logistics manager on F-16 programs at General Dynamics, Stephen helped families relocate to overseas positions successfully. His work took him to Taiwan, Korea, and Israel. These experiences profoundly shaped his perspective and deepened his appreciation for his U.S. citizenship.
Once back in the United States, Stephen took a "walkabout" in his truck camper, seeking new adventures and the perfect place to begin the next phase of his life. He found it in Bend, Oregon, where he settled down with his first wife, Marsha, whom he met while mountain biking in Utah. In Bend, he embarked on a remarkable career in commercial real estate.
In 2003, Stephen met his second wife, Karen, through a mutual friend and mentor. Their relationship led to the most epic adventure of his life: raising their son, Parker. The family moved to Hood River in 2005, where Stephen became a vibrant and committed community member. Though they divorced in 2020, Stephen and Karen's dedication to co-parenting Parker in the family home led to a strengthened relationship, marked by mutual respect and friendship that has endured to this day.
Stephen was known by many of his colleagues as a compassionate person who happened to be a commercial broker. His motto in or outside work was always "treat others as you want to be treated." Therefore, he approached most interactions with empathy, honesty, politeness, and respect. He even gave random telemarketers the courtesy of his time before politely declining their call while offering them feedback and ideas.
Stephen earned the CCIM designation, demonstrating his expertise in commercial real estate, investment, market, and financial analyses. He mentored many in the Portland and Columbia Gorge communities and was a valuable resource for discussing potential commercial investments.
Forever grateful to be a part of this community, Stephen was always eager to give back. He did so through his various affiliations, such as the Rotary Club, where he served one term as Hood River Chapter President, as a Lego League Robotics Coach, as a multi-year trail guide at Mountain Bike Oregon, and by working to improve mountain bike trails and elk habitat.
Once Parker reached high school, Stephen vigorously pursued his burgeoning passions for fly fishing and bow hunting. He eventually bought a camper and began planning his retirement, which included cruising around the US to hunt, fish, and mountain bike with friends.
In early June of this year, just one year into semi-retirement, Stephen received the shocking news of metastatic bladder cancer. He faced this diagnosis head-on with determination. His due diligence in investigating treatment options led him to join an immunotherapy trial at MD Anderson in Houston before cystectomy. Three days after his first infusion, Stephen fell ill and began to decline quickly. While many believed his discomfort was due to an adverse reaction to the therapy, a scan eventually revealed radical metastasis, including bone cancer.
Through his swift decline, Stephen was surrounded by love. His dear friends in Houston, Karen, younger brother Roger, Parker, his deeply committed sister and brother-in-law, and the expert team at Providence Hospice supported him. It should be noted that before entering hospice, Stephen received the most loving and professional care from the 2nd-floor nurses and CNAs at Providence Hood River, a nurturing experience for which his family is forever grateful.
Here are a few of Stephen's favorite things: family, Tex Mex, Texas BBQ, a top-shelf margarita, live music, playing guitar, hitting the trails on his mountain bike or with a ruck, tracking elk, archery, trap shooting, fly fishing, smoking meat, camping with friends, and the Dallas Cowboys.
Stephen is survived by his loving son, Parker; his ex-wife and life partner, Karen; his younger brother, Roger; his nieces and nephews, Raegan, Romy, Ryan, Johnny, Jessica, and Jake; his in-laws, Gordie, Mike, Cathy, Crystal, and Sandy; numerous awesome cousins and his sweet dog, Migo. Our hearts mourn, but we know Stephen is finally pain-free and conjuring another adventure from heaven while reuniting with his deceased parents and brother, Larry.
SERVICE
Private family services will be held in Hood River, Oregon, and Fort Worth, Texas. Throughout the year, celebrations of life will be planned for Stephen's community of close friends, colleagues, and extended relatives.
Instead of flowers, please consider donating to the Oregon Conservation and Recreation Fund in honor of Stephen. The fund invests in projects that connect youth and families in diverse and underserved communities to the outdoors, as well as programs that restore healthy ecosystems to benefit Oregon's fish and wildlife and improve the health of our environment for future generations.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center • 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
