Johnny Lon Ford

Johnny Lon Ford, (83) passed away on Monday, January 5, 2026 at home.

He was born in Cherokee, Oklahoma to Gaynell Joy (Smith) Ford and Wayne A. Ford on October 30, 1942. He grew up in Medicine Lodge, KS and graduated high school there in 1962. He went to Emporia State Teachers College and graduated in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. Johnny worked for Long Drugs in California then joined the navy where he served as a dental technician/Corman. He was stationed in Mayport, Florida where he met and married his wife Debbie on January 4, 1969. He served on an aircraft carrier Ticonderoga in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in August,1969. He returned to Emporia University to work on his Master's degree. He worked for a lithographing firm in Parsons, KS until he went to work for the Xerox Corporation in 1971. He lived in Topeka, KS and Overland Park, KS, Eagan, MN where he was a branch manager then moved to Spring Hill, KS in 1995 working as an Engineering Specialist until he retired after 34 years in 2005.

Johnny lived in Spring Hill for 30 years. He was a member of the Lions Club, Rotary Club and the Spring Hill United Methodist Church until 2024. He enjoyed volunteering for the Spring Hill Recreation Commission participating in the fishing derby and other activities. Johnny loved to fish and would take vacations with friends to Canada often. He loved having breakfast with friends where they would tell whoppers.

Johnny and Debbie celebrated their 57th anniversary on January 4th the day before his passing.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Joshua Tyler Hoston (2015) and son Beau Christian Ford (2025).

Johnny is survived by his wife Debbie of Spring Hill, KS, sister Jill Goldsmith of Abilene, KS, daughter Courtney Ford of Spring Hill, KS, daughter-in-law Cassie Ford of Kansas City, MO, Jordan Hoston of Kansas City, MO, Jared Hoston of Spring Hill, KS, Christian Ford (Sara) of Gardner, KS, Atticus Ford of Kansas City, MO, Machaela Brooks (Jordan) of Kansas City, MO.

The family would like to thank the Spring Hill fire department for their help and the VA for such wonderful care Johnny received.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Diabetes Association.

A Celebration of Life is scheduled for June 13, 2026 at 12:30 pm at the Church of the Resurrection Spring Hill (formally the Spring Hill United Methodist Church).