Ford returns to court on other side of bench

HOWLAND — After serving 36 years as a judge in Trumbull County, Don Ford Sr. of Warren retired last February and looked forward to traveling and spending more time with family, including his son, Howland attorney Don Ford Jr.

Within a month or so, an addition had been built onto the son’s East Market Street law office, and the retired judge started spending time there, preparing for a career in arbitrating and mediating such matters such as labor contracts. He also planned to work in probate law, which involves issues such as guardianships and estates. His name was added to the sign out front.

Then the unimaginable happened.

The 51-year-old Don Ford Jr., a husband and father of three, died unexpectedly June 13.

Though reeling from the loss, the 75-year-old former municipal, common pleas and appeals court judge filled the void and went to work on the cases his son had left behind. A couple of other local attorneys also helped out.

Read more about Don Ford Sr. in Sunday’s Vindicator and on Vindy.com