Zeltus J. “Zeke” Ford, age 82, of Ulysses, Kansas died Thursday, October 1, 2015, at Pioneer Manor in Hugoton, Kansas. He was born August 21, 1933 in Zenda, Kansas, the son of Jesse J. and Amy L. (Lattimore) Ford.

Zeke moved to Ulysses at a young age. He graduated from Grant County Rural High School. After high school he continued his education at Dodge City Community College where he also played basketball. Zeke served in the United States Army from 1956 – 1958. He was a lineman for Public Service Company and Pioneer Electric before he started his own company, Zeke’s Electric; which he operated for 40 years. He married Rue Nell on October 22, 1982. He served as a member of the Zoning and Planning Board for the City of Ulysses. Zeke loved attending all types of Ulysses school sporting events and was an avid KU basketball fan. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, serving on the Vestry as Jr. Warden and as Sr. Warden numerous times. He was also very active in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Kansas and received the Bishop’s award for service.

He is survived by his wife, Rue Nell of their home; son, Kevin Ford and wife Kim of Ulysses, Kansas; daughters, Debbie Ford of Liberal, Kansas, Melissa DuPree and husband Troy of Hutchinson, Kansas, Melanie Barton of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Jessica Ford, Abbigael Ford, Amyel Gaines and husband Torance, Miranda Lewis and husband Will, David Isaac and wife Amanda, Lexy Mizell and husband Devin, Maggie Debardeleben and husband Tyler, Emma Heyden and husband Derek, Callie Barton and John Barton; great-grandchildren, Keyden, Sutton, McCoy, Sloan, Hayes, Finley, and Maeve; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Zeke is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Melvin D. Ford; sisters, Delores Gee, Wanda Winger, Naomi Heffelmire, and Shirley Medlin.

Memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, October 5, 2015 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ulysses, Kansas with Father Dale Lumley officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Ulysses Cemetery in Ulysses, Kansas with military graveside rites conducted by Dexter D. Harbour American Legion Post #79. Memorial contributions may be given to St. John’s Episcopal Church or the Historic Adobe Museum in care of Garnand Funeral Home, 405 W. Grant Ave, Ulysses, KS 67880.