Help Kenny Ford Fulfill His Parents' Last Wishes

My name is Kenny Ford, and for more than 30 years, I have been deeply committed to public service, both as a member of the military and within my community. I had the honor of serving my country as a sailor in the United States Navy during the Gulf War, where I was stationed off the coast of Iraq. Throughout my life, I have made it a point to give back, to stand tall in the face of challenges, and to uphold the values instilled in me by my parents and my experiences in service. It has always been important to me to live a life rooted in self-reliance and resilience, and I have never asked for financial assistance of this kind before. However, I find myself in a place where I must humbly request your support during one of the most difficult times in my life.

A few months ago, my father, a man who had also dedicated his life to service, was diagnosed with stage IV bile duct cancer. My father was my hero. He was not only a proud veteran, having served during the Vietnam War as a Military Police officer at the Pentagon, but also a man who believed wholeheartedly in the values of giving back and helping others. His diagnosis was a crushing blow to our family, but he faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he lived his life with. Despite his strength, we lost him on September 7, 2024. Losing him was a devastating experience for me and for my mother, who had been battling her own serious health conditions for many years.

My mother was, in many ways, the backbone of our family. She had suffered from several debilitating medical conditions, which left her bedridden in the final years of her life. When my father passed away, something inside of her seemed to break. The weight of losing the man she had spent her life with was too much for her to bear. Less than three weeks after my father passed, my mother followed him. She passed away on September 27, 2024, just 20 days after my father’s death. The two of them had been inseparable in life, and it is a small comfort to know that they are now at peace together.

My parents were remarkable people who built a life centered around love, service, and community. For many years, they ran a successful daycare center in Laurel, Maryland. Their business was more than just a way to make a living – it was a labor of love. They took immense pride in caring for the children of our community, offering a safe, nurturing environment where parents could trust that their children were in good hands. However, as time passed and their health declined, they were forced to close the daycare and rely on disability and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make ends meet. Despite these hardships, they never complained. They remained steadfast in their love for one another and their dedication to our family.

Now, as their only surviving child, it falls to me to carry out their final wishes. My parents made it

clear that they wanted to be buried together in the same cemetery where my sister, who passed away 24 years ago, is laid to rest. It is incredibly important to me to honor this wish, and to give my parents the dignified farewell they deserve. They spent their lives giving so much to others, and now I want to give back to them in the only way I can by ensuring they are laid to rest together, as they always wanted.

I am reaching out to you with a humble and heartfelt request for help. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and my family. The funds raised through this effort will be used solely to cover the costs associated with laying my parents to rest in the cemetery alongside my sister. It is my deepest hope that, through the kindness and generosity of others, I will be able to make this final tribute to my parents and bring them together once more in the place where they belong.

For those of you who have already offered your support, whether through a donation or by sharing my story, I cannot thank you enough. Your generosity and compassion have brought me strength during this incredibly difficult time, and I am forever grateful. If you are unable to donate, sharing my GoFundMe page with others would be an invaluable way to help.

My parents, my sister, and I are incredibly thankful for any help you can provide. Your kindness will not be forgotten, and your support will forever hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for considering helping, and for being there in this time of need. May you and your loved ones be blessed with health, happiness, and peace.

With deep gratitude and appreciation,

Kenny Ford