Dale Kent Ford, 65, of Marshall, Texas, passed away on January 5, 2020.

Dale was born on February 3, 1954 in Marshall.   He graduated from Marshall High School in 1972, and attended Stephen F. Austin University.  He worked for Frito Lay and Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas and then returned to Marshall to work for Marshall Pottery as Safety Manager.   He moved to Abu Dhabi and worked in the oilfield business for two years, and then went to work with his father, Buddy Ford, as a carpenter.  He continued to work in the construction business until his retirement.

Dale loved sports, especially baseball and football. He played both sports in high school, and went on to be involved in Babe Ruth leagues as a coach and a player.  Many years were spent playing with The Wanderers softball team, and they still gathered annually to remember the "good old days".  He was a bowler and member of bowling leagues in Marshall and Longview, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Buddy and Nancy Ford. Dale is survived by his children Stephanie Ford Bushore of Knoxville, Tennessee, Samuel Kent Ford and wife, Marie, of Knoxville, Tennessee, Kent John Ford of Marshall, Texas, sister, Charlotte Ford Cole of Round Rock, Texas, and brother Kyle Ford and wife, Susan, of Woodlawn, Texas.  His grandchildren are Payton Ford, Jackson Bushore, Carpenter Ford, Auzlo Ford, Zoey Ford and Daniel Soares.   He had one great-grandchild, Henley Dodson of Knoxville, Tennessee.  He is also survived by many beloved aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas, on January 18, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.