Truett Jesse Ford

HURST -- Truett Jesse Ford, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2013. He has entered the gates of heaven and is smiling down on his family after nearly 92 years on this earth. Service: Noon, Tuesday at Lucas Funeral Home. Interment: 2 p.m., D-FW National Cemetery in Dallas. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Pallbearers: James Smith, David Ford, Michael Ford, Bryan Ford and Chandler Ford. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family encourages gifts to the American Ex-Prisoners of War or the Alzheimer's Association. Truett was born Aug. 26, 1921, in Silverton, one of eight children born to James Arthur and Rosa Ella Ford. He graduated from McKinney High School and attended Tarleton State College in Stephenville. He joined the Texas National Guard in 1939 and was activated with the Texas 36th Division after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Truett shipped out to Tunisia, North Africa, and at age 22, landed at Paestum on the Gulf of Salerno in Italy on Sept. 9, 1943. After two days of fierce fighting and being told "to hold at all cost," Truett and his fellow soldiers were captured by the 26th German Panzer Division. For 19 months and 10 days, they were moved from one German stalag to another, ultimately ending up in Luckenwalde near the Elbe River, 25 miles from Berlin. On June 22, 1945, the Germans deserted their posts, and the prisoners of war were liberated by the Russians. After a two-day journey, they were reunited with American troops. Despite his military experience, this was not what defined Truett. He was a wonderful husband and father. While working for Southwestern Bell Telephone in Corsicana, Truett met his wife, Mary, and they were married in 1946. He was involved in all of his children's and grandchildren's lives. He retired from Southwestern Bell in 1984, after 38 years of service. For the next 30 years, he spent many wonderful hours with Mary, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Truett was a quiet and humble man, and would shy away from the mention that he was a hero in his service during World War II. He remained active in his local POW Chapter until the time of his death. Survivors: His wife of nearly 67 years, Mary Ellen Ford; children, Kelly Ford (Gay), Gretchen Smith (Whit), Steve Ford (Kim) and Mickey Ford; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Truett Jesse Ford please visit our Sympathy Store.