Finis Cooper Ford was born March 26, 1932, fourth child of James and Essie Ford on their Ozark family farm near St. James, Arkansas. He passed away January 17, 2018 in Valentine, Nebraska at the age of 85.

Cooper was raised driving mules, hand-picking cotton and milking cows; working side-by-side with his Daddy, Mother, sister and three brothers. Cooper walked through the farm's back pasture of Ozark rocks and trees to St. James for elementary school. He hitchhiked to Mt. View, Arkansas for high school, graduating in 1950. Always having an adventurous spirit, he earned his way by working in strawberry fields in western Arkansas, fruit orchards in Michigan and felling trees in various locations throughout the Ozarks during high school summer breaks.

The summer after graduation he borrowed $35 and traveled by train to work on the Edson Sr. and Jessie Gale ranch south of Cody, NE. Only having $4 in his pocket, he stepped off the train in Cody, onto the dusty, treeless land of the Sandhills. Cooper said if he'd had enough money, he would have bought a return ticket right there and then!

Cooper was soon calling the Sandhills home, enjoying the life and work of ranching. Asked if he would like to return to the Ozarks; he would state, "Why would I want to go back to the heat and humidity, let alone the ticks and chiggers?"

The Army called Cooper away from the Sandhills in 1952 where he served as a machinist during the Korean War through 1954. After returning to Nebraska, he married Helen R. Gale on June 5, 1955. They remained on the Gale Ranch for the next 11 years. Here they were blessed with four children, Gregory, Karen, Gale, and Mark. In 1966 they purchased the current Ford Ranch where two more children, Tony and Steven joined the family.

Being very family-oriented, Cooper enjoyed nothing more than working on the ranch with his children and later his grandchildren, where he was a patient teacher and positive role model. He is remembered as being easy to work with, even after one of the kids took out five posts in a fence line with the scatter rake, leaving the pickup in neutral when it rolled down the hill knocking out the gas tanks,, or breaking out teeth on the the stacker head with the sweep. He would just shake his head and start fixing the problem.

Cooper served on the Cody-Kilgore School Board for many years. He was a longtime supporter of education, school activities and sports. He attended countless games and activities of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, spanning over 45 years. Cooper enjoyed attending farm and antique auctions in hopes of finding a bargain, but mainly to socialize. He also spent many summer days vacationing, camping, canoeing and picnicking with family.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Helen; brother Jackie Ford, children , Greg (Tracee) Ford, Karen Ford, Gale (Rex) Simmons, Mark Ford, Tony Ford, Steve (Carrie) Ford, grandchildren , Shae (T.J.) Schneider, Kristin (Steve) Fay, Layne Ford, Molly (Lindley) Thompson, Justin (Janelle) Simmons, Miles (Ashley) Simmons, Reed (Mary Kay) Ford, Teeyl Ford, Marshall Simmons, Aria (Cody) Diehl, Jais Ford, James Simmons, Grace Ford, True Ford, Logan Ford, Sara Ford, great grandchildren , Cooper Fay, Hesston Fay, Elle Simmons, Gunner Ford, Henry Simmons, Maive Schneider, Kyla Simmons, Bristol Ford, August Simmons, Maverick Diehl, Rhen Schneider, Sumner Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers JT and Hollis Ford, and sister Essie Fae Ford.

Memorial service was held on Saturday, Jan. 20 at the Cody American Legion Pavilion. Pastor Kurt Busenitz officiated at the 1:30 MT service. Private family burial was at the Prairie Lawn Cemetery in Cody.

Memorials may be made to the Cody Prairie Lawn Cemetery or Cody American Legion Post 319.

Sandoz Chapel of the Pines was in charge of service arrangements.