Korda Van Ford

Korda Van Ford, born May 13, 1935 to Chester and Marsene Ford of Amarillo, TX. Van entered heaven on March 31, 2025.

Memorial Services will be at 11:00 am, Monday, April 7, 2025 at St. Stephen Church of Amarillo, 4600 South Western Street with Dr. Stan Cosby officiating. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors, 2800 Paramount, Amarillo, Texas. Family visitation will be Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 4:00-5:00 pm at Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home.

Van was born and raised in Amarillo and attended Amarillo High School. After graduation, he attended West Texas State College, later he received his Master's in Education Degree. He was a science and math teacher at Whittier Elementary. He was a principal at Margaret Wills Elementary and Lawndale Elementary. He enjoyed his years working with children in education and he retired from Horace Mann Middle School.

He married Mary Beth Youngman in June of 1957 after meeting her at a "Future Teacher Association" conference in Huntsville, Texas. They were married for 62 years. He was involved with West Texas A&M University for many years and attended many activities. He and Mary Beth loved to travel and took many trips overseas. His favorite places were Germany and Austria. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church for many years and then St. Stephen Methodist Church.

He loved his time with his grandchildren and family. After retirement, he enjoyed building projects and fishing. He became a very talented wood carver. He entered many of his pieces into the Tri-State Fair and received many awards. He was a member of the Golden Spread Woodcarvers group.

Van is survived by his daughter Vian Ford Elms and husband Paul Elms and his four grandchildren: Brooke Elms of Dillon, Colorado; Nicholas Elms of Dallas, Tx; Kameron Ford of Allen, Tx; and Luke Ford of Allen, Tx. Other survivors include: his brother, Byron Ford and wife Bennie Ford of Montrose, CO; and sister and brother-in-law, Chestene and Jim Fullingim of Kileen, Tx; seven nephews, three nieces and many great nieces and nephews.

Van was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mary Beth, his son Kory Ford and his parents.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Mary Beth Ford Memorial Scholarship Fund at West Texas A&M University or St. Stephen Church Choir.