Thomas Lavell Ford, age 73, passed away on Sunday June 21, 2026, in Denver, Colorado.

Thomas Lavell Ford was born September 9, 1952, in Hodge Louisiana, the third of eleven children. Known affectionately as Tommy to everyone, Tommy’s family relocated to Denver Colorado in 1955.

When Tommy was old enough to start school he attended Mitchell Elementary School, Cole Junior High School and Manual High School where he was an excellent athlete playing football (WR), basketball and ran track and field, graduating in 1970. From his first day at school, Tommy met children that would become a very important part of his life. With those acquaintances he established lifelong friendships which remain strong to this day.

After graduating high school Tommy started a job working at Duncan’s Shoe store. Anyone that knows Tommy knows that he was a stickler for fashion and appearance. After his stint at Duncan’s, he worked a couple of jobs until he was employed by King Soopers (Kroger) in 1977 where he remained for 42 years, starting in the bakery to order selector to frozen manager.

As typical Tommy he established lifelong friendships with the people he worked with. After retirement he continued to work, working at Famous Footwear. He loved working with people.

Tommy was a very likeable person and to know him was to like/love him. So many stories to tell. Tommy could go from serious to outrageously hilarious in an instant. He always displayed leadership, confidence and was very competitive.

Anyone that knew Tommy knew that he was a diehard Raider fan. It didn’t matter if they were (by some people’s standards) the nastiest team in the league he never wavered. Tommy was also a Bulls/Michael Jordan fan and learned to appreciate the game of golf admiring Tiger Woods. He played in an adult football league (The Pit Bulls), loved bowling, playing cards and loved the dog track! Winning was a must. Win or lose he always made it fun.

In 1975 he met his future wife and lifelong partner, Deborah Troutman. The family liked him from the minute he stepped through the front door. Tommy had an unbelievable relationship with his Mother-in-law and Father-in-law. Tommy and Deborah married in 1978. This marriage lasted for 48 years until his death. From this marriage came two sons, Thomas and Darrell. He loved being a father. Tommy was so proud of his sons and was very active in their lives. When they were old enough to play sports Tommy and Darrell wanted to play football. He was immediately involved and loved it. During this time, he coached little league football (Prince Hall) and basketball. As typical Tommy, he established lifelong relationships with the children he coached. They kept in touch with him until his death affectionately calling him coach or dad. He was a dad to those who did not have one and a second Dad to those who did. He always made himself available to them.

Tommy will truly be missed by all that knew and loved him. Some people come into our life as blessings; some come into our life as lessons. He did both. Tommy was truly a blessing. To know him could also be a lesson learned! The grief and disbelief will remain the same over time, but we will move on and remember how much we loved Tommy.

Thomas Lavell Ford was preceded in death by his mother Estelle Jackson, sister Kathy Jackson, brothers Donald and Ronald Ford, father-in-law Clarence Troutman and sister-in-law Teresa Loftis. Tommy is survived by his wife Deborah Troutman Ford, Son’s Thomas Lavell Ford Jr (Mikae), Darrell Andrew Ford (Ashley), 7 Grandchildren, Darrell, Ayame, Akira, Amari, Amina, Reina and Savanna, his mother-in law Shirley Troutman, (his rock, his confidant and trusted ally), in laws and best friends Clarence, Paula and Vincent (Carolyn) Troutman, His devoted Aunt Louise, Aunt Margaret, 4 sisters, 3 brothers and a host of relatives, friends and lifelong friends.