Jerry Ford wins 2015 Southeast Missourian Spirit of America Award

For almost 30 years, Jerry Ford has lobbied in the state capital for the families of people with disabilities, and before that he served two terms as state representative of the 156th District, two terms on the Cape Girardeau School Board, worked as a music instructor, owned and managed a welding manufacturing company, worked for his family business, Ford and Sons Funeral Home, and been a part of a 13-piece orchestra since 1960.

All these facts and more have contributed to Ford's being recognized with the Southeast Missourian 2015 Spirit of America Award.

But most people who know Ford know him for his music.

"I would say music was kind of the key to it all," Ford said.

He has a knack for storytelling, and listening to his stories is as easy as hearing him play his instrument of choice, the trumpet.

He's been involved in many bands over the years, from jazz to German music, but is most known for being part of the Jerry Ford Orchestra and the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band.

"Music was my first love -- from the first time I heard the trumpet on the car radio, I was hooked. And so that's kind of been my overall passion over the years," he said. "But in terms of public service, my dad was mayor for many years here, and when he passed away, he was on the county court, which is now the county commission. My older brother served two terms as coroner, and so my family has always been a big believer in public service, and I grew up in that atmosphere."

Ford, 72, said he's been most proud of a few things from his past. One of them was raising about $400,000 for community groups during the past three decades. Another was leading the charge to eliminate the death penalty for people with mental retardation while he served in the Missouri Legislature. While on the board of education, he helped in saving property at Sprigg and Bertling streets from being developed for commercial use, and Ford said he helped in bringing the first bubble for the municipal pool to Cape Girardeau.

After reciting that list of accomplishments, Ford took a breath, thought for a moment, and added: "I'm also a lifelong member of Centenary United Methodist Church and in 2009 was the co-chair of Gov. Jay Nixon's Southeast Missouri Transition Team."

It's hard to tell from speaking with Ford which of his memories are his favorites, because he talks about each accomplishment with the same fervor. On Saturday, Ford's going to be exceptionally busy, playing in the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band, receiving the Spirit of America award, and then playing taps at the end of the Independence Day celebration.

"So, I'll be hopping around like I always am," Ford said with a laugh.

On the Fourth of July, the band is scheduled to start the festivities at 6:45 p.m. at Arena Park.

A naturalization ceremony that will grant United States citizenship to about 20 people will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr. at 7:15 p.m. and will be followed by music and the Spirit of America Award program at 8 p.m.

The award is presented annually by the newspaper to an individual deemed to represent "the spirit of this great nation: patriotic, loyal, giving, entrepreneurial and so much more," according to a nomination form.

"Jerry Ford has contributed to the community in so many different ways for a long time, both publicly and behind the scenes. Just recently, I was driving by the River Heritage Museum early on a Saturday, and he was sweeping the sidewalk before an event," said Jon K. Rust, publisher of the Southeast Missourian and co-president of Rust Communications. "His kind of selfless volunteerism is what helps make this a special place to live. Then there's his musical talent and all the different ways he's supported and added a musical flair to events in this area. At other times, he's pressed to make sure military veterans were recognized appropriately, and he's contributed to their cause without many people knowing. With Jerry Ford, it's tough to identify just one specific area of volunteerism or contribution, because he has done so much."

Four others were nominated for this year's Spirit of America Award, including Doug Austin, Charlotte Craig, Kenneth W. Dobbins and state Sen. Wayne Wallingford.

Ford was nominated by the Cape Girardeau River Heritage Museum board of directors, and since Ford began working with the museum, his wife, Margaret, said her husband was an easy choice for the award.

"Whenever Beverly [Hahs] suggested it, we all looked at each other and said, 'Spirit award? Who's got more spirit than Jerry Ford? He drives us crazy he's got so much spirit.' So it was really all her idea," she said.

Hahs, another board member for the museum, said she's known Jerry Ford for many years and even worked with him in the Illmo-Scott City School System from 1964 to 1967.

"I'm so glad he's won this award," Hahs said.

"He's worked so much for the museum and for the community in general, he definitely deserves it. ... He's always willing to give his time and always says yes to playing music or fundraising, and as for the museum, he's just given tirelessly to us over the years."

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

Jerry Ford's nomination

Nominated by Cape River Heritage Museum

The Cape River Heritage Museum wishes to place Jerry Ford's name in nomination for the Spirit of America Award. Among his many achievements, Jerry has been a volunteer at the museum for more than 25 years.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Jerry has given lifelong service to our city as well as Southeast Missouri.

His enthusiastic spirit through his music has benefited numerous organizations through countless hours of fundraising for education, athletics, history and religion.

In recent years, he has authored three books highlighting our city's history that have entertained and intrigued countless readers.

Community

involvements

• Member, Cape Girardeau Board of Education, 1974-1978
• School board president, 1977-78
• Member, Missouri House of Representatives, 1978-1982; served on committees of Agriculture, Commerce, Education and Higher Education (vice-chairman)
• Outstanding Legislator Award, Missouri National Guard, 1980
• Distinguished Legislator Award, St. Louis Police Officers Association, 1981
• Southeast Missouri State University Copper Dome Society, Presidents Council and Executive Committee (1987-89)
• Southeast Missouri Athletic Booster Board, 25 years
• Southeast Missouri River Campus board of managers, 1999-present
• Southeast Musical Instrument Initiative Task Force
• Southeast Music Academy board of directors
• Phi Mu Alpha music fraternity
• Sigma Chi Alumni Association
• President, Southeast Missouri Boy Scouts Council, 1988-89
• National Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1999
• Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce
• Former vice-chairman, Cape Girardeau Jaycees
• SEMO Historical Association
• Cape River Heritage Museum
• Southeast Council for the Arts Board of Directors
• SEMO District Fair Board
• Breakfast Optimist Club
• Cape County Democratic Party
• Centenary United Methodist Church
• Co-chair, Gov. Jay Nixon's SE Missouri Transition Team, 2009
• First Class: Cape Girardeau Public Schools "Faces of Success" Recognition 2010