Walter Joe "Doc" Ford

Walter Joe "Doc" Ford, 90, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri passed away Sunday, December 28, 2025 at Chateau Girardeau. He was born September 21, 1935 in Cape Girardeau to Walter Henry and Mary Frances Masterson Ford. He and Iris Engram were married February 24, 1956 at Centenary Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. As Walter Joe once wrote, "Starting as a kid, my only goal was to be a Major Leaguer, marry Iris Engram and run the funeral home after my playing days were over". At the age of 14 he was invited to workout with the Saint Louis Browns before a game in Old Sportsman's Park. He graduated from Cape Central High School in 1953, where he was Student Body President his Senior Year. While at Cape Central, he played baseball for four years and started three years on the basketball team. He played baseball with Cape American Legion team for four years. Three weeks out of high school he signed a pro baseball contract with Milwaukee Braves. He played four years in the Minor Leagues for Milwaukee Braves, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs. He was also inducted in the Cape Central Sports Hall of Fame and Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He attended Southeast Missouri State University and then graduated from Gupton Mortuary School in Nashville, Tennessee. On July 1, 1957 he and Iris became acting managers of Ford & Sons Funeral Home and they were later joined by his brothers, Jerry and Don. The family legacy continued as sons, Cliff and Kevin joined the business, followed by Kevin's children, Josh and Kristen. Ford & Sons later opened a location in Benton, Missouri and also purchased Brinkopf-Howell Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau. In 1985 they purchased Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery. They were also part owner of Arena Golf for many years. He served for six years as the Cape Girardeau County Coroner. He and Iris were honored by the Missouri State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors for 50 years of service. He was also past member of Southeast Missouri National and State Funeral Directors Association and Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Walter Joe never met a stranger. He had a remarkable memory of knowing individuals by name. He genuinely valued every family he served. Many considered him not only a professional, but a friend. He leaves a lasting impression for all who knew him. He was the past President of Cape County Chapter of the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Old McKendree Methodist Church, Friends of Old St. Vincent's Church, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and Cape Girardeau Rotary Club. He was the oldest member of the Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, joining the club December 1, 1957. He served on the Board of St. Marks Masonic Lodge (50 years, 32 Degree Mason), Southeast Missouri Hospital (40 years) and past President of the hospital's foundation, Cape Jaycees (1st Vice President), Cape Girardeau County Democratic Party (20 years), Cape County Bank of Cape and Jackson. He was also a member of Elks Lodge, Eagles Lodge and Moolah Shrine. He also received the Drury Family Spirit of Entrepreneurship Award in 2021. He was a lifelong member of Centenary Global Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, serving many leadership roles. As a family man, he loved coaching his sons and their friends. He and Iris enjoyed attending their grandchildren and great-grandchildren's sporting events and other school activities. Survivors include his loving wife of 69 years, Iris Ford of Cape Girardeau; two sons, Cliff (Michele) Ford of Ridgeland, Mississippi and Kevin (Cindy) Ford of Cape Girardeau; five grandchildren, Joshua (Julianna) Ford of Cape Girardeau, Brett (James) Lapeyre of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kristen (Brad) LaBruyere of Cape Girardeau, Sarah (Scott) McVey of Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Catherine (CJ) Lassabe of Pass Christian, Mississippi; 11 great-grandchildren, Montgomery, Fischer, Engram and Joshua Ford, Jr., Iris and Jay Lapeyre, Hampton and Ford LaBruyere, Cora and Lily McVey and Amelia Lassabe; a brother, Jerry W. (Margaret) Ford of Cape Girardeau; sister-in-law, Mary Gerlach of Cape Girardeau; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Donald Keith (Carolyn Ford Bock) Ford; and a brother-in-law, Paul Gerlach. Visitation will be 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Monday, January 5, 2026 at Centenary Global Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau. Funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm Monday at the church with the Rev. Carl Palmer officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau. Memorial contributions may be given to Centenary Global Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis St., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 or Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607. Walter Joe believed Jesus' statement in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The Ford family would like to thank all the staff at Chateau Girardeau and Mercy Hospice for all their compassionate care. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com. Ford & Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements.

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Walter Joe "Doc" Ford

September 21, 1935 - December 28, 2025