LONGTIME EDUCATOR, GOP PARTY LEADER DIES MONDAY

Ralph Ford, a prominent figure both in statewide teaching organizations and local and state Republican politics, died Monday afternoon at his farm near Oak Ridge after suffering a massive heart attack.

Ford, whose residence was at 3124 Kage Road in Cape Girardeau, died some time between 4 and 5 p.m. while checking on his cows. He was 65.

His wife Doris was also at the 200-acre farm at the time and discovered his body near a fence line, according to Coroner John Carpenter.

He was the former head of the Missouri State Teachers Association and former chairman of the county Republican Central Committee.

A longtime educator, Ford also served as a counselor at the Cape Girardeau Vocational-Technical School. He was elected to the presidency of the MSTA in the late 70s. His wife Doris, a speech therapist with the public schools, currently is the first vice president of the MSTA.

He assumed the chairmanship of the county Republican Central Committee 2 years ago. He also served a number of terms on the state Republican committee.

He retired from the central committee last month, citing the desire to let a younger person take over.

At the time, he also said his resignation was tied to recent health problems.