Samuel Bradley Ford

Samuel Bradley Ford, age 98, passed away after a brief illness on March 6, 2025, at his retirement home in Covington, Louisiana where he had resided since 2020.  Mr. Ford was born in Selma, Alabama and raised in Jasper, Alabama where he attended Walker County High School.  He was a WWII veteran, having enlisted in the US Navy in1944.  He later attended the University of Alabama (class of 50’) on the GI bill and was a proud member of Sigma Nu fraternity as well as a lifetime, avid supporter of Bear Bryant and Alabama football.  Roll Tide!  He majored in radio and television broadcasting and had a 50 year career in this industry.  He worked in Mobile, Alabama before moving to New Orleans, Louisiana where he was the program director for WVOG, known as the  “voice of gospel.”  The station was recognized by the Wall Street Journal for starting an “electronic church” and being a pioneer in Christian programming.  Under Mr. Ford’s leadership, it also received a Louisiana Governor’s Award for Media because of an adoption program he started for the state.  Mr. Ford married Jennie Welch after college and had two sons, Dr. Sam Welch, an ENT physician, and Mr. Ernie Welch.  The family were members of the Baptist church in Mobile, Alabama and Mr. Ford enjoyed playing golf and doing play by play announcing for the local baseball team.  Years later, after moving to New Orleans, he met and married Joyce Prima, (daughter of iconic musician Louis Prima), when she visited his radio station promoting her father’s music.  The couple lost their home and most of their possessions in hurricane Katrina and relocated to Abita Springs, Louisiana.  In his later years Mr. Ford was active with the American Legion and attended many events recognizing his WW II service with his dear friend Ignatius DeSandro, a fellow veteran and local leader.  He also loved monthly gatherings with the “R.o.m.e.o.s.”, ( real old men eating out single) organized by his longtime friend, Dr Murphy.  Despite ever worsening eyesight and hearing, he enjoyed playing the piano and never missed a daily bingo or Pokeno game at his retirement home. He studiously kept up with current events both local and national, voted in every election since he was 18 and almost never missed an Alabama or New Orleans Saints football game.  Mr. Ford was a southern gentleman and a student of history with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.  He was passionate about what he called “his beloved south” and wrote an autobiographical book drawing on decades of lived experience called Southern Scandal which was being edited by Tate Publishing at the time of his death.  In the Afterward of the book he writes, “Don’t even consider giving someone a piece of your mind.  Be sensible and give them peace of mind…Smile and extend a hug to your own family members and a friendly handshake to neighbors, no matter how distant or different they appear.  Then, as Mr. Lincoln dreamed, we shall, with God’s help, have a “new birth of freedom” in our beloved nation. Peace, happiness and prosperity might well be the fruits of a spirit of harmony and forgiveness. At least, it will be a good start.”

Mr. Ford was predeceased by parents, Lawrence Ford and Juanita Walker, sister Martha (Ford) Ceriani and by wives Jennie Welch and Joyce Prima.

He is survived by sons, Dr. Sam Welch and Ernie Welch, granddaughter Mary Lee Smith, great grandchildren Molly and Connor, niece Dr. Carol Ceriani, nephew Steve Ceriani, daughters-in-law Karen Welch and Patti Welch and stepdaughters Diana Reidell and Sheryl Duffourc.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Prayer Service at Serenity Funeral Home, 20419 Hwy 36, Covington, LA  on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Rev. Alex Guzman officiating, with Military Honors to follow. Private Internment to be held later at Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Slidell, Louisiana.

Arrangements are entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home of Covington, La. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Samuel Bradley Ford, please visit our floral store.