James Ford | |
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| Born | 1930 or 1931 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, US |
| Died | 27 August 2001 Washington, D.C., US |
| Occupation | Clergyman |
| Known for | 58thChaplain of the United States House of Representatives |
James David "Jim" Ford[1] (c. 1930 – 2001) was an Americanclergyman, most known for being the youngest chaplain of a US military academy and as theChaplain of the US House of Representatives. While Chaplain of the House, he was the first-full time chaplain, secondLutheran to hold the role, and second-longest ever serving.
James Anderson was born inSioux Falls, South Dakota, and primarily grew up inMinnesota. Due to the commonality of the name 'Anderson,' James gave himself the last name of 'Ford' as thecar brand was an American icon. He graduated fromGustavus Adolphus College and received adoctorate in divinity fromWagner College before his ordination as a Lutheran pastor in 1957. Between 1958 and 1961, Ford was apastor ofIvanhoe, Minnesota.[2] In 1961, he moved to work at theUnited States Military Academy, and was appointed as the academy'schaplain in 1965. Assuming the title at the age of 33, he is the youngest person to have held the role.[3]
On 15 January 1979, Ford was appointed to be the 58th Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. He was the first person of the title to serve full time, as all previous House Chaplains were either retired or held other pastorates. In addition, he was the first and only Lutheran to hold the title. Although the position of House Chaplain is voted on by theHouse of Representatives every two year, Ford became the second-longest serving person to hold the role. He credited his long term to his good standing with the representatives, even when cost-cutting measures threatened to make the chaplain a voluntary position. Ford triggered a political controversy when he retired in 2000, forcing a long debate in the House of Representatives regarding who his successor would be. Eventually, theRoman CatholicDaniel Coughlin was chosen as his successor.[4][2]
On 27 August 2001, he committedsuicide on his boat while moored at amarina inWashington, DC. The District of Columbiamedical examiner listed cause of death as aself-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 70 years old at death.[2]
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| Preceded by | 58th US House Chaplain January 10, 1979 – March 23, 2000 | Succeeded by |
Authority control databases: National |
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