Ian Andrew Ford's Obituary
Ian's ordeal is over.
A truly gentle soul has departed the fragile vessel we all reside in during our journey through life, leaving us excruciatingly saddened but full of fond memories of his much too brief life.
Ian Andrew Ford was born at home in Missoula, Montana a short 34 years ago into the waiting arms of his parents, Carolyn Bartlett of Missoula, Montana and Joe Ford of Chicago, Illinois. He left us on December 21, 2023 from his bed at home in Micanopy, Florida in the care of his partner, Fred McDowell and his father, Joe. The void he leaves behind will never be filled.
Ian's lifelong passion was his natural gift for making music. Starting with saxophone in grade school in Sunnyvale, California, he soon added drums and guitar to his repertoire. Upon his family's return to Missoula while in 7th grade, he switched his band instrument from saxophone as his new school was doing a piece requiring a tuba. When his instructor asked if anyone wanted to play that part, Ian jumped at the chance and was sent home with a tuba which he figured out over a weekend and continued playing one through Hellgate High School where he participated in the 2005 Rose Bowl parade. During high school he played in symphony, marching, and jazz (playing guitar) bands. Outside of high school he played hard rock in bands with friends. After that, he continued on the hard rock road for years playing with several bands in Missoula. As of the last few years he had been doing solo recordings layering a variety of instruments and synthesizers into compositions settling into the French house techno style.
Many of his compositions can be heard by searching for ‘ianford’ on soundcloud.com.
Ian never really liked winter and snow activities. Warm weather and the ocean were his preference as he would spend hours enjoying the Pacific surf while living in the San Francisco area as a child. He settled into a place that fit him well in 2021, moving to the northern Florida countryside near Gainesville, just an hour drive east to the Atlantic or west to the Gulf. He was very happy there.
It was rare that anyone who met Ian did not like him immediately. He leaves behind many friends in Missoula and other places he visited while traveling around. Though that was the case, he had a low tolerance for mean or inconsiderate people, allowing them no place in his life.
Ian’s relatives are spread around the country from his grandmother Jane Bartlett in Renton, Washington to aunts, uncles, and cousins from New Jersey to Palm Beach and Arizona to Wisconsin. Of special note was his close relationship with his brother Bjorn Iverson and aunt Helen Bartlett.
Ian fought and won his first round with cancer in 2017 but succumbed to complications this time after immunotherapy seemingly beat the actual cancer.
Ian Ford always stayed humble and kind. He will live in our hearts forever.
What’s your fondest memory of Ian Andrew?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ian Andrew?
Share a story where Ian Andrew's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ian Andrew you’ll never forget.
How did Ian Andrew make you smile?