FORD, Derek

Derek Ford

1950 – 2021

Derek Ford (70) of Lethbridge, Alberta passed away after a sudden and brief illness on September 6, 2021. Derek was born on December 12, 1950 in Ipswich, Suffolk England to Leslie and Eva Ford. He immigrated to Canada in 1973 with his wife and son Lee to Hillspring, AB. working on the Dragline. After that he moved to Raymond, AB in 1974 and commuted to Lethbridge working at Hagen Electric fixing tools and eventually moving to Lethbridge in 1976 where his 2nd son Jamie was born.

Derek always knew being an entrepreneur was his dream, so he opened Galaxy Power Tools in Lethbridge which led him to own many businesses throughout his life including 2 gas stations (Husky in Pincher Creek and Esso in Creston), a restaurant (Pincher Station), a café (Dot Café Lethbridge), Website Development (FordWeb) to 3 successful power tool equipment rental and repair companies (Galaxy Power Tools, DJ Equipment Rentals and currently Heritage Power Tools). Derek moved to Lundbreck in 1983 where he built his dream house on the Crowsnest River where he could enjoy flyfishing, riding horses and spending time with his newborn daughter Oshan and his son’s Lee and Jamie. Derek eventually moved back to Lethbridge in 1993 where he made it his permanent home.

Derek was very athletic throughout his life excelling in boxing, racquetball, squash, golf and flyfishing making many close friends and memories along the way.

Derek found the love of his life Doris in 2002 and they have been glued together ever since. They opened Heritage Power Tools together in 2015 and created a successful business working extremely hard side by side every day. When they weren’t working, they enjoyed golf and camping and just being with each other.

Derek will be dearly missed by his children Lee (Danielle), Jamie (Felicia) and Oshan Ford. His brothers Stuart and Gerald, sister Karen and his 5 grandchildren – Kisa, Dakota, Alyssa, Abbey and Aiden. He will also be dearly missed by Doris and her children, Luella, Tony (Michael, Elizabeth), Clinton (Jacqueline, Ryan, Cash, Lane) and Nowal (Sheri, Theodore, Harlow) along with all his nieces and nephews and many close friends.

Clay lies still

but bloods a rover.

Up lad, there’ll be time to sleep

when the journey’s over

Visit www.mbfunerals.com to send a condolence.