Colonel Allan T. Ford, USA (Ret.), 97, died on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Colonel Ford was a native of Ty Ty, Tift County, GA, the son of the late Clarence and Rintie Ford. Following graduation from Tifton High School in 1946, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (which became the US Air Force in 1947). He was trained as a Weather Observer and was a Staff Sergeant when honorably discharged in 1949.

He attended North Georgia College, Dahlonega, GA, graduating in 1952 with a BA degree and a Commission in the Regular Army. He reentered the service in 1952, and is a Veteran of World War II, Korea, and the war in Vietnam. He was also a “Cold Warrior” commanding an Armored Cavalry Troop patrolling the border between East and West Germany from 1961-1962. He had numerous command and staff assignments, including a tour in the Pentagon as a Directorate Executive Officer, and as the Strategic Plans Officer for the Chief, Office of Reserve Components. He is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College.

While in High School, COL Ford was part of the Georgia State Guard, which gives him status as a WWII Veteran. (June 17, 1943 – June 28, 1946)

After graduation from North Georgia College, COL Ford was stationed at:

1952-1953 - Fort Rucker, AL to Korea

1953-1955 - Hawaii- Training on Weapons Range

1955-1957 - Fort Benning, GA 3rd Division-Training

1958-1960 - Fort Knox, KY- Armored Advanced Course

1961-1962 - Bamberg, Germany

1962-1964 - Nurenberg, Germany- In charge of Border Operations for whole Regiment of 3 Battalions

1964-1967 - Clemson, SC- Teaching ROTC at Clemson University

1967-1968 - Ft. Leavenworth, KS- Command and General Staff College

1968-1969 - Vietnam

1969-1971 - Ft. Ord, CA- Command training 4th Battalion

1971-1978 - Fort Knox, KY- Director of Personnel and Community Activities

Among his awards and decorations are the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Korea Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.

Colonel Ford is preceded in death by his parents; a sister; two brothers; as well as his granddaughter, Katherine.

Survivors include his loving wife, Inger Elisabeth Ford; a daughter, Margaret Anne Chaffin (CDR Carl R. Chaffin, USN Ret.), of Bartlett, TN; a son, John Erik Ford (Anita Ford), of Pensacola, FL; grandchildren, Kerry Williams (Patrick), Kristianne Chaffin (Terry Champagne), Kimberly Shideler, and Robert Ford (Christina); a great granddaughter, Evelyn Williams; a great grandson, Andy Champagne; as well as three nephews. 

A visitation will be held from 11:00am until the Funeral Service begins at 11:30am Friday, October 23, 2026, at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Danny Hankins officiating. Committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, with Full Military Honors being accorded by the US Army.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.