Dorrol Day Ford's Obituary
Age 74, of Clarklake, MI passed away peacefully on June 3, 2015 after a short and courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Jackson, MI on March 20, 1941. Dorrol graduated in 1958 from Addison High School, and in 1961 from Jackson Business University (JBU). On July 22, 1961 he married Karen Leigh Haight in Hudson, MI. They made Clarklake their home for most of the next 53 years, where they raised two children, Shanna Leigh and Kenton Day. Dorrol worked in Sales until retiring in 2003 at age 62. He was a 'people person' who had an infectious smile and treated people fairly. He worked for Foote & Jenks, Brooklyn Products, Krupa's Boat Mart and Domestic Linen. Bowling was a weekly social event and Dorrol was on several different leagues for nearly 40 years. He enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter and loved to travel with his family and friends during summer vacation in his camper, motorhome or (after retirement) 5th-wheel with Karen. When his kids were young, many special memories were made while camping at the 'Canoe Camps', in the U.P., & in the Smokey Mountains. As a young boy, Dorrol was an avid fisherman and trapper, which was his 'first job'. After school every day he could be found either on the lake in his old rowboat, or checking his traps with his sister Sharron. As a young adult he began deer hunting and developed a love for 'deer camp'. He hunted in the U.P., Harrison, Atlanta and Lake, MI until 1994 when his daughter Shanna and son-in-law Mike bought a cabin and hunting property near Traverse City. He hunted there every year since with Mike, his grandson Reed, & his northern Michigan 'family' and friends. At deer camp, he was known for ""Big D's"" grilled pork loin and coleslaw dinner. He loved people; all people, but especially 'little ones'. The love he had for his grandchildren was unparalleled and he loved his nieces and nephews like his own kids. Giving his grandchildren 'pop' to drink, making them Shirley temple cocktails and feeding them gum from his personal gumball machine were things that they will always remember about 'Grandpa', 'Unka Do and 'Uncle Dorrol'. He spent countless hours attending their sporting events including gymnastics, football, soccer, golf, baseball & basketball. Service was important and he made the Clarklake Lions Club his passion. He was a member of the club for 46 years, serving as President (more than once), Vice President and Secretary. He gave his time to volunteering for fundraising events including the Raft-O-Rama, Clarklake Triathalon, the Cash Bash & the Clarklake Ice Festival, to name a few. Dorrol was preceded in death by his father, Jack F. Ford. He is survived by his mother, Grace Arlene (Peek) Ford of Jackson, his devoted wife Karen (Haight) Ford of Clarklake, daughter Shanna (Mike) Shea of Traverse City, son Kent (Marcia) Ford of Clarklake; four adored grandchildren, Ashleigh (Jeremy Maat) Shea, Reed Shea, Lauren Ford and Connor Ford; sister Sharron (and special 'brother' in-law L.D.) McBean of Clarklake; brother in law Richard (Karen) Haight and sister in law Cherie (Phil) Charpentier, along with MANY special nieces, nephews & cousins. A memorial service to celebrate Dorrol's life will be held on Friday, June 19, 2015 at Clarklake Community Church, 9224 Hyde Rd, Clarklake, MI 49234. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. with the Memorial Service to follow at 12 noon. A luncheon will follow in the Church's Fellowship Hall. Interment will take place at a later date at Clarklake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be directed to the Clarklake Lions Club, P.O. Box 193, Clarklake, MI 49234. Please share any special memories with Dorrol's family at www.nicholsarthurfunerahome.com
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