In Remembrance Of

Janice Ford

Janice “Jan” (Murphy) Ford, 83, of Gladstone, MO (formerly of Gower, MO, passed away on Thursday August 15, 2019.

She was born on July 7, 1936 to Thomas Kenneth and Ethelyn (Duncan) Murphy in DeKalb, MO.   Janice grew up in DeKalb and graduated from DeKalb High School.  She then attended Maryville Teachers College in Maryville, MO.
In 1958 Janice married her former husband Wendell Ford (currently of Liberty, MO).  In 1969 they moved to Gower, MO with their children Debra and Doug.  While living in Gower, Janice worked for TWA, the Farmer’s Bank and the Gower Convalescent Center.   In 1999 Janice moved to Gladstone, MO after retiring from her multiple years at TWA.
Janice was very active, enjoyed working in the yard, socializing with friends and was an avid fan of tennis and ice skating.   She was a volunteer for the Northland Shepherd’s Center in Gladstone, MO, the Northland Neighborhoods organization and was also a board member of the Ladies Auxiliary at North Kansas City Hospital.  She was truly committed to helping others.   She dearly loved her grandchildren and attending their activities and also enjoyed house sitting for her grand-dogs.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Bettie Best.
Janice is survived by her children Debra (Ford) McDonald and her husband David; Doug Ford and his wife Holly;grandchildren Connor McDonald, Camryn McDonald and Dylan Ford; her sister Jeraldine  Sue Smith and her husband John; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. 
Visitation:  Wednesday August 21, 2019, 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Gower Christian Church, 203 S. 3rd Street, Gower, MO.
Funeral Services:  Thursday August 22, 2019, 11:00 a.m. at Gower Christian Church.
Private Family Inurnment:  Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Weston, MO.
Donations may be made to the Northland Shepherd’s Center.
Arrangements: Hixson-Klein Funeral Home, Gower, MO    

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Comments & condolences

14 comments

  • Terri Wolfe

    I am with Northland Neighborhoods, Inc., we will greatly miss Jan in our group – she was a delight and so very caring of others. Jan was loved and appreciated. We shared rememberances of her this morning- I’m so sorry that we just found out about her passing. Our thoughts are with her family – Jan was a true Gem.

  • Jania Keogh

    Renee and Doug, I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. I realize how tough that can be and that the pain never goes away, but neither do the memories. May your mom rest in peace with all her Murphy clan.

    Jania Keogh – daughter of Joan Murphy Keogh (+2/22/17)

  • Jania Keogh

    Oops! I wrote Renee (her cousin) and not Debbie. I am so sorry!

  • Patty Trail Purvis

    I remember Janice and her sisters Betty and Sue from my childhood. We lived on the farm of her parents. Fond memories of such a wonderful family.

  • Rachel Killebrew

    I am so fortunate that Jan Ford worked with me at TWA for many years and she was one of the sweetest most thoughtful friends that I have ever known and loved. Those days of working with Jan and jean Beery and Lila Scrivener and Gil Pickrell are some of my most cherished time of my life. I am fortunate that I got to see Jan and jean and Lila when I was in Kansas City recently … and it was like time had never passed in between our times together. She loved her family and friends so completely and had a heart of gold. She will be missed but never forgotten. I love you Jan!!

  • Amy Bennett

    I only came to know Jan over the last year or so through the North Kansas City Hospital Auxiliary, and I was immediately taken by her genuine nature. She always found a way to put the focus of conversation away from herself and on the other person. Her caring quality left me in awe. May her ability to light the way in such a way be a comfort to you. My deepest sympathies.

  • Corky and Jan Barnett

    Our prayers and sympathy to all of the family. She was the sweetest and most caring person we knew. Just spoke with her during our birthdays in July. Will miss her dearly.

  • Judy (Pulley) Hawkins

    Debbie and Doug and family,
    So sorry for your lost, prayers with you all.
    Your Mom touched many lives, and so thankful for the friendship that she had with my Mother.
    It meant so much to her and she talked so fondly of on the memories and times when they had done things together.
    Thank you for reaching out and letting her know.
    May all the love and care of others comfort you at this time.

  • Arleta.Pulley

    Arleta.Pulley and Dick

  • Danette Hanson (niece)

    Will miss her a lot. Always caring for others. Sent cards to nieces for birthdays and anniversaries every year. Good Christian lady

  • Amy (Harris) Doepke

    Debbie and Doug and family – I am so sorry for your loss. What a sweet lady!

  • Judy and Bob Hall

    Jan will always be missed. She was like a sister I never had.

  • LaDonna Culver

    I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. I’m a member of the Auxiliary and enjoyed visiting with her many times. My hometown is Lathrop, Mo so am familiar with Gower. We visited several times about this. My Father taught school in Gower for one year.

  • Robert E. Henderson

    We are very surprised to hear this sad news and we send our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. I just spoke with Janice about six weeks ago and she seemed in good health. The Murphy home was where my wife Martha and I first met in the fall of 1948, we have been married for sixty five years this past April. Janice was a cousin to my wife Martha (Todd) Henderson. God Bless.

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