Robert James Ford

Robert “Bob” James Ford, 72, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away Saturday, September 5, 2020 at the Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, surrounded by his family.

Bob was born on September 30, 1947, in Oregon City, Oregon, a son of Lindon Walton Ford and Evelyn Marie Wells Ford. He graduated Rogers High School in 1966 and joined the U.S. Air Force. He served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He married Joyce Claypool on August 25, 1973 in Springdale.

In 2017 Bob retired as a regional salesman for the Kanaflex Company. After retiring Bob moved back to Rogers, Arkansas where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going to car shows and Naturals Baseball and Chiefs Football games, traveling around to museums and historical sites, making new friends, swimming and playing beach volleyball in the pool at the Rogers Wellness Center. He also became a member of the Rogers Kiwanis Club. Bob had a gregarious personality. Bubbly and charismatic. He loved to entertain family and friends and was always the life of the party. He loved talking on the phone. Bob had a gentle and generous heart always willing to help others. He was a determined character; always rising up to meet any challenge head on. Bob loved kids, and kids loved him. They naturally flocked to him. He was often told he was a kid at heart. He loved playing with his grandchildren and reading them stories. He was blessed to be able to travel and spend time enjoying his grand-kids.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his loving wife Joyce.

He is survived by one son, Bryan Ford and wife Shannon of St, Johns Florida; one daughter Laura Ford-Arunakul and husband Pon of Portland, Oregon; one brother, Chris Ford and spouse Loyd Staggs of Fayetteville, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Kyle Ford, Logan Ford and Sarunya Arunakul.

Visitation will be held at the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home in Springdale on Friday, September 11 from 5: 00pm to 7:00pm. Due to concerns of the COVID Pandemic and according to Arkansas State regulations, attendance will be limited to 125 people and all will be required to wear masks.

Graveside services will be held at the Friendship Cemetery on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. under the direction of the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home of Springdale. For those that cannot attend in person a link will be provided for live streaming of the service on the Backstrom-Pyeatte Funeral Home Facebook Page.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Wounded Warrior Project are appreciated. Please visit http://www.backstrom-pyeattte.com to sign our online guestbook.