TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Former Tallahassee Mayor James Ford, who died Wednesday, has received praise as one of the Capital City's "most beloved leaders."
Ford, who was Tallahassee's first African American mayor, died at age 91.
Mayor Andrew Gillum said that "Ford's service blazed a trail for others like myself to follow, and his legacy will be celebrated as a true visionary and a fierce proponent for this city."
Ford made local history in 1972 when he became Tallahassee's first African American mayor. He won re-election in 1976 and 1982.
Colleagues say he was kind, gentle, and well respected by the community, though he was also very passionate about the issues he believed in.
Ford worked for 37 years in the Leon County School System as the first black administrator. During his time there, he was the assistant principal for Leon High School, where the students truly admired him.
Before being elected mayor, he served as a city commissioner where he began making positive changes for the minority community.
A Tallahassee native, Ford, earned bachelor's and master's degrees from Florida A&M University. He served in both the U.S. Navy and Army before working for the Leon County Public School System.
Gillum's complete statement is below:
"Today, this community lost one of its most beloved leaders. As the first African-American Mayor of Tallahassee, Mayor Ford's service blazed a trail for others like myself to follow, and his legacy will be celebrated as a true visionary and a fierce proponent for this city. Our hearts go out to Clinita and the entire Ford family during this difficult time. Tallahassee is with you."
A funeral service has been set for Monday at 11 a.m. at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
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