Richard Ford was born March 10, 1983 to Thomas William Ford and Kathy Sue Woeck in Seattle Washington at Swedish Hospital. He is survived by immediate family to include Wife, Brooklin Jade Ford, Mother, Kathy Sue Woeck, and Sister, Andrea Danielle Ford. He is survived by extended family in marriage to include Blair and Tani Boyd, Clancy, Chelsea, Carter, and Cannyn Vanderburg, Brett and Seneca Childress, Colby and Kayla Boyd, Will and Caitlyn Hugo.  He is survived by his extended family to include Aunt, Danielle Woeck Kamins, Cousins Allie, Cassie, Dana, Erin, Mathew, and Andrew. He is preceded in passing by his beloved Grandparents, Richard and Carolyn Woeck, Uncle and Aunt, Michael and Carrie Woeck.

He was raised with love and support of his gifted mind, evident at an early age, always seeking an understanding greater and wiser than he was. By the age of 5, he could read the newspaper. As a young boy, his Grandfather shared his lifetime of passion for the craftsmanship of ship design and love for the water. He spent much of his time on the tugs with family and family friends sharing their knowledge and experiences to support his curious mind. His love for learning and work ethic were instilled in him and are clear in his adulthood and all of his endeavors. He had a softness for the innocent, children and animals gravitated toward him and a very special dog name Bender shared the final years of his life walking beside him matching him step for step.

A passion for horses led Rick from Oregon to Arizona to Texas where he owned and operated Cinder Lakes Ranch, a full scale equine operation offering services in reproduction, sales, and export. As a breeder, he and his mother meticulously selected a band of broodmares to build the legacy he leaves behind and to date a noted breeder of earners exceeding $4,000,000 in the NRHA, NRCHA, NCHA, and Racing Industry. Also an avid showman, he owned and competed in the same events excelling as a Non Professional. He supported the associations thru his volunteer service to multiple committees offering his time, knowledge, and willingness to see the sports grow with a special connection to sales and the future of the disciplines he so passionately bred for and involved himself in.

He attended Gateway Church of Southlake Texas, under pastor Robert Morris. He was led to begin serving on the tech team as a volunteer sharing his love of photography and eagerness to learn the trade of videography. His attention to detail and desire to learn everything he could about the equipment, content creation, and finished product were a continued extension of his passion for being the best version of himself in this craft. This act of service led to opportunities within and outside the church walls sharing his love of filmography that opened doors to great friendships with people sharing the same talents and hearts for servanthood. He was driven to pursue a different look on life behind the lens and his trade was continuously perfected with meticulous detail. His passion for looking outside the box led to his production positions with Cinder Lakes Ranch, Bosque Ranch, Hooey, Bull Fighters Only, Gateway’s Prison Ministry, The Run For A Million, 100x Stakes, NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity, Breeders Challenge, and many others broad spanning different genres of business that were a pivotal part of sharing his talents, ideas, creative concepts, and drive to be the absolute best he could be. In this, he also nurtured and supported the growth and expression of talent amongst his colleagues and friends.

A lifetimes commitment to continuing education and a lover of learning and meeting new challenges head on, he was most renowned for his innovative outlook on implementing new ideas, leading the way in finding solutions to any problem that arose, and being a liaison of expertise in both of his professional careers and endeavors. He supported and celebrated his colleagues successes, always challenging those around him to be better and in doing so, he was able to give a piece of himself in the form of a suggestion, new perspective, or high five when they got it right.

Rick was grounded in his faith. He believed in God, he believed in selfless love, he believed in giving. He has been received at the feet of our sweet precious Jesus and is surrounded by his Grandfather and Grandmother whom he idolized and adored, Friend & Mentor Doug Carpenter, Jade’s father Dennis Martin, Friend & Partner Buck Hazeldine, and his four legged friends whom he shared all of his lifes journeys with.

The greatest lesson to be shared is to understand that Love Is Enough. To whatever capacity a person is able to love you and you are able to love another, always remember that the walk you are walking may be different from the stranger on the street or a friend you know, greet them with love and compassion, giving of what you are able, and trusting that God’s promises are true. Rick lived a life of love for so many things and he will be deeply missed, but his legacy of all of the lives he touched will be branches extended into this world to share the gift of love and always sharing gratitude for all that this life blesses you with.

-This is not goodbye but rather see you soon

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2023 at 5:00 pm at the Watt Arena, Fort Worth, Texas.  Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville.