The Naming of The Hon John C. Ford Inn of
Court
On October 11, 2000, the Honorable John C. Ford American Inn of
Court in Dallas, Texas was chartered. The Inn formed for lawyers
specializing as bankruptcy practitioners, is named for United
States Bankruptcy Judge John C. Ford, deceased.
John Calvin Ford was born in Cooke County, Texas on April 11,
1917. He attended the University of Texas, graduating in 1941 with
degrees of B.B.A. and L.L.B. He remained a life long supporter of
the University. At one time, he owned a car painted in U.T.'s
orange and white. After his death, a well funded endowment to
provide scholarships for U.T. law students was established in his
name.
Following graduation from U.T. and in the early days of World
War II, Judge Ford joined the U. S. Navy serving as a gunnery
officer aboard destroyers in combat in the South Pacific. He was
discharged from active duty with the Navy in 1946. Thereafter, he
remained in the Naval Reserve ultimately retiring with the rank of
Commander.
In 1946, Judge Ford began a legal career in what would become
four decades of dedicated public service. First, as an attorney for
the City of Dallas. Then he served as Assistant U. S. Attorney in
Dallas from 1953 to 1958. He was Assistant Regional Administrator
of the Securities and Exchange Commission from 1958 to 1961. He was
appointed U. S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Northern District of Texas
at Fort Worth in 1961, where he served until 1972 when he
transferred to the Dallas Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District
until his retirement in 1985. In 1986, he was recalled to serve as
interim Bankruptcy Judge in Fort Worth and retired a second time in
1987. Judge Ford died on June 8, 1993.
He was at heart an unpretentious man preferring honor to honors.
Whenever strangers inquired as to his identity, his stock reply was
Ford, F-O-R-D, just like the car. He refused to refer to himself by
his title of judge. He was a man of faith whose moral compass
always pointed him in the direction of right and he took to heart
the Biblical injunction to do justice and love kindness. He was
patient and encouraging with new lawyers practicing before him. His
warm and ebullient nature and love for people provided his
innumerable friends unconditional and enduring support. Not only
did he never meet a person he didn't like, he rarely if ever met a
person who didn't like him, even those who had been on the
unfavorable end of his rulings.
The founders of the John C. Ford American Inn of Court
appropriately chose to name their Inn for a man of faith, who was
just and kind; a man who spent his life in the service of his
country and others; one who promoted fellowship and good-will; both
a gentleman and a gentle person, who nurtured and encouraged new
lawyers; a man who had the courage to stand by his moral
convictions. Judge John C. Ford will be a continuing example for
all lawyers, especially the Inn's members.