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- Born November 8, 1921 in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Received an AB Degree from Tulane University in 1943, an MA from the University of Chicago in 1947, and an Ed D. from Stanford University in 1952. Taught at Elgin (Illinois) High School 1947-48, Louisiana State University 1948-1950, and San Jose State University 1951-1991. (During a 2-year leave of absence, served as associate superintendent, American Dependents Schools in Europe, N. Africa, and the Mid East, (1963-1965). Retired in 1991 from San Jose State University in San Jose, California as a Professor in the Department of Education.
During World War 11 he joined the U.S. Army Air Cops. He completed a tour-of-duty in heavy homers (35 bombing missions, mostly to targets in Germany), then transferred to lighter aircraft and flew about 100 hours in combat operations until the war ended Europe in 1945. Relatively few other pilots in the 8th Air Force did that kind of “double duty” during WWII. [1]
- Gervais Weil (G.W.) Ford
Loving husband and father, WWII Air Force pilot and long-serving professor of education passed away on July 14, 2007 at his home in San Jose at the age of 85.
Born November 8, 1921 in Lake Charles, Louisiana, G.W. was the eldest son of Gervais Ford Sr. and Alma, in a family with two other sons, Tom and Patrick. His father and their entire family were dedicated to the field of education and public service. Gervais Sr. was a well-known and regarded figure in his region of Louisiana, serving as a high school principal and regional superintendent of schools and one of the early advocates and implementers of integration. His mother was also a teacher and his brothers Tom and Patrick both became university professors, at the University of Kentucky and McNeese College, respectively. G.W. himself spent 40 years as a tenured professor in the field of education at California State University, San Jose (SJSU).
Air Force Pilot
For all of his adult life, G.W. was committed to public service of some sort and making a difference in others' lives and the community in which he lived. As a young man in 1942, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps. In 1943 he was awarded an A.B. from Tulane University and that same year was called to active duty, commissioned as a second lieutenant and qualified as a pilot. In 1944, G.W. was sent to England, where he had a distinguished career as one of the elite "double duty" pilots: approximately 50 pilots who flew four-engine bombers and then single-engine fighters in WWII. He flew 35 missions in B-24 bombers in 1944, and, at one point, in September 1944, he was shot down by enemy fire, rescued by the French Resistance and then flown back to England, before starting his bombing missions again. In 1945, G.W. volunteered for a second tour as a P-51 "mustang" fighter pilot escorting bomber squadrons. By the time the Germans surrendered in May, 1945, he had flown 18 missions and more than 100 combat hours as a fighter pilot for the 8th Air Force. This gave him a total of 53 combat missions. He ultimately reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and was awarded the Air Medal with Seven Oak Leaf Clusters.
Career as a Professor
Upon his return from WWII, G.W. began pursuing his goal: to use the teaching profession as a means of "giving back." He earned an M.A. from the University of Chicago and a doctorate in education at Stanford University. He settled down with his wife, Bonnie, whom he had met at the University of Chicago, in northern California in 1951, accepting a position in the School of Education at San Jose State. Revered as the consummate professional role model, he worked for decades to help build the education department at SJSU and promote secondary education throughout Santa Clara County and indeed throughout California. It is said that during his tenure at SJSU he held more administrative posts than any other faculty member. He was Dean of the School of Education, Chairman of the Secondary Education Program, Coordinator of the Community College Program, Coordinator of Research and Development for the School of Education, and served on or presided over literally hundreds of university wide committees and task forces, including that of selecting SJSU's president. He also served for a time as associate superintendent of all American Dependent Schools in Europe, N.Africa and the Middle East, based out of Germany. Later, he worked with USAID on projects in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, El Salvador and Bolivia to promote educational opportunities for developing countries. Known for his integrity, seriousness of purpose, ability to deliver and willingness to help, G.W. spent a lifetime trying to promote education as a means of changing individuals' lives.
Family
G.W. had a similar dedication to his family and friends. He was loyal almost to a fault, endlessly honest and completely apolitical in dealing with others. He cared little for networking or building contacts, and had little time for social small talk. Rather, he was a measured, solid, stable man who provided strength to his family year in and year out. Others would say he was tough, no-nonsense, often stoic, earnest, and at times stubborn with high personal standards; yet concurrently he was a modest, caring, supportive, thoughtful, fair, and very generous man who gave of his time and assistance whenever he could. Friends and colleagues often described him as having a resounding air of integrity and decency about him. He and Bonnie raised three children, who viewed their father as the noble role model, someone everyone respected and many, including them, cherished. G.W. and Bonnie were married for 57 years, and he was a loving partner and friend throughout all that time.
G.W. is survived by his wife, Bonnie Deegan Ford; his children, Molly Hayes (Scott) of Monterey, Ca, Michael Ford Deegan (Audrey) of Washington, D.C., and Gerry Ford (Amanda) of London, Great Britain; his grandchildren, Dylan Phillips (Christina), Daniel Phillips, David Phillips (Kristen), Jared Hayes, Cuyler Deegan, Maura Deegan, Taylor Ford and Tate Ford; and his great-granddaughter Elizabeth Phillips.
A Memorial Service celebrating the life of G.W. Ford will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the First Congregational Church of San Jose, 1980 Hamilton Avenue, at Leigh Ave., San Jose, CA, USA.
Those who would like to honor G.W. (and his commitment to education and making a difference) may wish to contribute to the "G.W. and Bonnie Ford Fellowship Fund", PO Box 4895, San Jose, Ca, 95150.
Published in the San Jose Mercury News on 7/24/2007. [3]
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