Rulon Newell Ford

Rulon Newell Ford, age 95, passed away at home on Sunday, March 19, 2023, with his family by his side. Newell was born at home on January 3, 1928, in Centerville, Utah, to Rulon Garn Ford and Arvilla Roberts Ford. He was raised on the family farm in Centerville, along with three sisters and five brothers. He learned the importance of hard work while helping with many farm chores. In the evening, after the chores were done the Ford farm was the place to gather for fun and games.

Newell was educated in the Davis County Schools. He attended Centerville Elementary, Bountiful Jr. High, where he learned to play the saxophone, and Davis High School. Newell enjoyed sports. He was on the basketball, baseball and tennis teams. He also ran track for Davis High. Newell loved learning and excelled academically. He graduated as one of three valedictorians. After graduation Newell and six friends joined the Air Force. He served in the military for two years, from 1946-1948. After his military service he enrolled at the University of Utah where he majored in chemistry, physics, zoology and genetics. After graduation from the university, Newell attended Cornell Medical School in New York City. He majored in diagnostic and therapeutic radiology and nuclear medicine.

During medical school, Newell met and married his sweet wife Kathleen (Kathy) Erskine. They were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on December 21, 1954. They lived in New York City for two years. Their first son was born in New York. After graduation from medical school, they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, for Newell’s internship and residency. They spent seven years in Cincinnati. Newell was the head of the cardiovascular division at Cincinnati General Hospital and was an assistant professor of radiology. Three more children, two daughters and a son, were born to them while in Ohio.

Newell moved his young family back to Utah. Newell joined the radiology department at St. Mark's Hospital and worked there until his retirement in 1998. He loved his work. He loved everyday working at the hospital. He continued to study and learn about the new and constant changes in radiology even after his retirement.

Newell loved his family. They built a family cabin and enjoyed their time snowmobiling, fishing and four wheeling. Favorite yearly family vacations were spent at Colter Bay and Lake Powell. The last few years Newell enjoyed visits from his grandchildren and their young families.

Newell was a kind and gentle man. He was quiet and thoughtful. He was a man of few words, but those words were well thought out and meaningful. He was generous and giving. His testimony and love for his Savior was very strong. He loved studying the Book of Mormon. Newell was a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in various callings. Newell was a great example to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Newell is survived by his sweetheart, Kathleen (Kathy); his children, Craig (Melissa) Ford, Marilyn (Paul Latteier), Janet (Mike Rogers), Brad (Julie) Ford; 19 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren; his siblings, Emma (David Glover), and Mark (Marsha) Ford; and his sisters in-law, Katherine (Kaye) Ford, Lora Ford and Catherine Ford.

Newell was preceded in death by his loving parents Rulon and Arvilla Ford; his siblings, Clynn Ford, Elaine (Dick) Kapple, Kathleen (Arlin) Bloomfield, Duane Ford, Joseph Garn Ford, Walton Ford; his daughter-in-law Heidi (Hatch) Ford; and his great-grandson Grayson Benjamin Cichelli.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, April 3, 2023, at the Crestview Ward, 2795 Crestview Dr. in Salt Lake City. Family and friends are invited to visit on Sunday, April 2, 2023, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. at Larkin Sunset Lawn, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, and on Monday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral service. The funeral service will be livestreamed via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86985510830. You must have a Zoom account and be logged in to join.

Interment will be in the Centerville City Cemetery, 650 East 400 South, Centerville, Utah.