MELVIN WENDELL FORD
DECEMBER 15, 1937 - SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

Melvin Wendell Ford was born December 15, 1937, at Freedman's Hospital in Washington, DC.
He was the youngest son of Jesse and Faye Ford. Melvin peacefully departed this life at home
on Thursday, September 9, 2021. Mel was married to Antoinette Taylor for 54 years and ten
months. And from this union, their love was made whole with the birth of their daughter, Regan
Leslie Ford.
Mel was reared and came of age in the four hundred block of Kenyon Street, NW in
Washington, DC. At four years old, Mel was struck by the crippling virus, Polio. The virus never
stopped his athletic endeavors. Mel attended public schools in Washington, DC, graduating
from the renowned Dunbar high school in 1955. He had been an officer on the famed drill team
as well as an outstanding athlete. Mel attended and graduated from Howard University in 1960.
There, he majored in Physical Education, was the catcher on the baseball team and was the
captain of the swimming team. Melvin was inducted into The Bison Foundation Athletic Hall of
Fame at Howard University in 1995 for his outstanding achievements in swimming and baseball.
Mel was a highly respected and greatly admired member of the Washington, DC Recreation
Department. He was the first Director of the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center and hosted the
dedication of this center. His friend, Robert Kennedy, was the honored guest who dedicated the
site to his brother President John F. Kennedy.
Melvin retired from the DC Department of Recreation in 1991 after 35 years of service. His
activities in retirement included fishing in the Chesapeake Bay, Martha's Vineyard, Hilton Head
Island and wherever else he could drop a line. He also regularly hosted "The Locker Room
Boys" at his home during football season. Mel frequented Dover DE, Atlantic City and up until
his spinal stenosis slowed him down, MGM Grand at National Harbor, where he loved to shoot
craps. The highlight in his later years was traveling with his girls on the Tom Joyner Fantastic
Voyage and the Tom Joyner Family Reunion. He was the hit of the Tom Joyner Fantastic
Voyage Cruise where he was affectionally known as Poppa Ford. Additionally, he hosted a
seminar on the Fantastic Voyage that focused on Caregiving and Regan's Blog on the topic,
called BuiltFordTough.org.
With time, Mel was challenged physically to continue his active lifestyle and had to slow down a
little. This is when he brought his friends to his home by hosting his annual "Eggnog Sip" on
December 30 for the last ten years.
All who knew Mel respected and loved him. His sense of humor, strong opinions, generosity and
determination were constant. And when he brought you into his life, there you remained.
Mel leaves to mourn his passing his loving wife Toni and Daddy's girl daughter, Regan, along
with a host of additional family members and friends.
"Goodnight, Sweet Prince, and may a flight of angels sing thee to thy rest"