David Thomas (Tom) Ford, a beloved husband, father, grand-father, and great-grand father, paramedic, firefighter, veteran, actor and larger-than-life figure in Ferndale, California, passed away at home on June 16th, 2025, at the age of 77. 

Tom, a Ferndale resident of 58 years, embodied the spirit of community. Born in Vermont, Tom and his family moved from their small farm in Bennington to Southern California when he was 6 years old. After graduating from Garden Grove High School in 1966, Tom hitchhiked across the U.S and into Canada, and eventually returned to the West Coast, joining the family in Ferndale where he helped to refurbish their new home, the historic Shaw House. It was there, shoveling gravel for the new driveway, that he met his wife of 55 years, Lorie Jean Titus. The rest, as they say, was history. 

After a short stint in Alaska serving in the U.S. Air Force in military intelligence, Tom was transferred to Omaha, Nebraska, where he spent his time analyzing photographs from the SR-71 spy plane. It was there that he and Lorie were married. Once discharged, Tom and Lorie returned to Ferndale with the addition of their first born, Greg. A few short years later the Fords grew by one when Sara joined them, completing their small family. 

Tom’s path was not a straight line, but it led straight through Humboldt for his remaining years. He explored his interest in marine biology, attending College of the Redwoods and then Humboldt State University; was a small business owner; worked in the lumber/pulp industry; and ultimately found his passion, working as a paramedic for City Ambulance. Wherever he was and whatever he was doing, Tom made an impact with colleagues and the community alike, making friends that would last a lifetime.

Tom was committed to his community almost as much as his family and found a hundred different ways to serve. With wife Lorie, he opened the Fern Café on main street, a high school hangout and town gathering place. He joined the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department in 1977 serving as a firefighter on Company 3 and later as an EMT. With their help, he continued his studies, becoming a paramedic. He rose through the ranks from Lieutenant to Captain, Assistant Chief and ultimately Fire Chief. And he didn’t stop there, he joined the Arson Task Force and served on the Ferndale Fire Protection District Board even after retiring from active duty. He served as the department’s EMT-1 program director, CPR instructor, babysitter course coordinator and more, training generations of emergency responders and fellow Ferndalians. 

Tom also joined the community in other ways; he wrote a weekly column for the Ferndale Enterprise “Tom Foolery”, tried his acting chops in multiple musicals at the Ferndale Repertory Theater, he served on the school board, was a part of the museum’s annual event at the Ferndale Cemetery, and he even created the Ferndale Area Rapid Transit (F.A.R.T) and entered it in one of the first Kinetic Sculpture Races, delighting everyone with his humor.

Tom was truly a fixture in Ferndale. He supported the community as a volunteer, walking Russ Park cleaning up downfalls and repairing trails. He was a member of the Ferndale Hooligans, coming together each year to clean up Francis creek and protect the residences along main street. And most notably, he was the one who fearlessly scaled Ferndale’s massive Christmas Tree each winter to string the lights. 

No one that met him forgot him, from his patients who would refer to the “calm of Tom” to his family, friends, fellow firefighters, city ambulance crew, actors and more, Tom was bigger than life and no one will ever take his place. He will be missed by all. 

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, David and Marjorie Jeanette Ford, his sisters Dora and Jane Ford, his sister-in-law Catherine Ford and his niece Renee Ford. He is survived by his wife Lorie Jean (Titus), his son Greg Ford (and wife Dena) and their two daughters Kelli and Jodi. His daughter Sara Cortes (and husband Michael) and their three children Alissa (Sean) and their two children Griffin and Joanna, Ethan (Ashley) and Elena. 

Tom also leaves behind his brother Tim (Sheila) his nieces and nephews, Sharon (Mark) Gary (Debbie) Brian, Emily, Lauren (Mathew) and Jonathan. As well, he will be missed by the extended Titus family. 

Tom was proud of Ferndale, of HIS town, of those he taught and worked with, but no one could be prouder of his family, his wife/children/grandchildren and their commitment to service than Tom/Dad/Papa was. From firefighters, veterans, instructors and medical professionals they have followed his path and are serving their communities just as he served his. 

“A legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something IN people.”

A memorial will be held for Tom at the Community Church on Main Street in Ferndale at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 28th, 2025, followed by a celebration of life at the Portuguese Hall in Ferndale. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider providing a donation to the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department or the Ferndale Repertory Theater.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tom Ford’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.