OXFORD, Miss.–Following his Friday death from a heart attack at 63, former Miss. House Speaker Tim Ford will be memorialized Tuesday at Ole Miss. Ford was also an attorney who continued his practice with Balch and Bingham, where he was a partner.
The firm announced arrangements for Ford over the weekend.
Visitation is 3 to 5 p.m. today at Parkway Funeral Home in Ridgeland and continues from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday. After that a motorcade will take Ford’s body to Oxford, where he will be remembered in a 3 p.m. service at Paris-Yates Chapel.
Ford was elected to the Mississippi House in 1979 as a Democrat and was elected Speaker in 1988, where he served for 16 more years.
He took over after “Buddie” Newman left the post.
Friday and Saturday state office holders released statements on Ford’s passing.
“Deborah and I are so sad to hear of the untimely passing of our dear friend Tim. I have lost too many friends lately. We lost a good man who loved his family and his state,” said Gov. Bryant.
Current House Speaker Phillip Gunn (R-Clinton) saw Ford as a mentor.
“Tim Ford was a legendary man,” said Gunn. “He was a tremendous leader and friend who was always willing to provide advice at the drop of a hat. He was a great mentor, and his loss will be felt by so many people. We have lost a model leader.”
Treasurer Lynn Fitch (R) also worked with Ford.
“My dear friend Tim was an incredible leader, statesman, and his love for the state of Mississippi was evident in all that he did. It truly was an honor to have served under his leadership as Speaker as I served as counsel to the Ways and Means Committee. Tim was able to bring people together for the betterment of the state, something that is a rare occurrence in the world of politics. I have no doubt his legacy will continue to live on for generations,” said Fitch.
