Gerald Rudolff Ford

Gerald Rudolff Ford (December 9, 1890 – January 26, 1962) was an American businessman and local politician. He was the stepfather of U.S. President Gerald Ford and for whom Ford legally changed his name.

Early life Ford was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1890 to George R. Ford and Frances (née Pixley).

Ford's father, George, died in a train accident in 1903, forcing him to drop out of school to support the family.

Career Ford worked as a paint salesman at the Grand Rapids Wood Finishing Company. He founded the Ford Paint and Varnish Company in 1929 before the Great Depression. After the Depression hit, Ford asked his employees to work for $5 a week and paid himself the same salary until all could be paid more.

He was chairman of the Kent County, Michigan Republican Committee from 1944 until 1948, when he stepped down after his stepson began his first run for Congress. Ford never legally adopted Gerald, although the future president changed his name in 1935 after the deaths of his paternal King family grandparents to an Anglicized version of his stepfather's name: Gerald Rudolph Ford.

Ford was active with his four sons in the Boy Scouts of America. He was active in the formation of the Youth Commonwealth to help disadvantaged youth.

Ford died on January 26, 1962, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He and his wife are buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.