Thomas Wellington Ford, JR.'s Obituary
Thomas Wellington Ford, Jr. was born September 13, 1943 in Berkeley, CA to Winifred E. Robinson and Thomas Wellington Ford, Sr. He grew up in Oakland, and attended Oakland High School. After graduation, he enlisted in the US Army and traveled the world. In 1966 upon his return to Oakland he met and married the love of his life Joyce Marie Thomas. To this union three precious children were born: Thomas Wellington Ford III (T.J.), Tanya Michelle Ford-Goins, and Tiffani Michelle Ford-Hervey. Thomas later enrolled and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in African American Studies from Cal State University Hayward. He was a member of the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Thomas had a plethora of careers but none he cherished as much as that of basketball coach for Peralta Community Colleges and Cal State University Hayward. It was not just the coaching and basketball, it was the mentoring and grooming of young men and young minds. He was famous for his delicious sweet potato pies and yams. He leaves to cherish his memory his son T.J., daughters Tanya and Tiffani as well as two sons-in-law Mario Goins and Michael Hervey. A special daughter-in-law Delja Hancock. A beloved cousin Shirley Carillo. Eight grand-children Tavonna, Dominique, Ashley, Mario (Momo), Austin, Miya, Mikayla (K.K.), and Mikah. He also leaves behind five great grand-children, six sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law and a host of other relatives and friends that will miss him dearly.
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