11/6/2022
UCRA - United Championship Racing Alliance
UCRA and Fort Payne's Marvin Ford Passes Away
CEDARTOWN, GA (11/5/22) --- Marvin Ford, the longtime owner and promoter of Fort Payne (Ala.) Motor Speedway and founder of the United Championship Racing Alliance for Crate Late Models, died Saturday night at his Cedartown, Ga., home.
The death of Ford, was reported by his son Craig Ford on Facebook and Steve Hixson, who assisted the Fort Payne track and the UCRA series with publicity.
Ford, had bypass surgery many years ago and suffered a mild heart attack in 2016. He was at home after Fort Payne’s scheduled Saturday racing was rained out. He was found in distress; efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Ford’s racing connections included being a former flagger at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga., before taking promotional roles, Hixson said. He operated Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, Ala., from 1989-97 and later purchased the former Thunder Mountain Speedway in Fyffe, Ala., and renamed it Fort Payne Motor Speedway.
"He was constantly trying to improve things weekly at the racetrack,” Hixson added, “and had grand ideas about making the experience at the racetrack better for fans and drivers.”
Survivors include his wife, Janis Marie Ingram, Silver Creek, to whom he was with for over 20 years; 2 sons, Craig Ford (Wendy), Rome, and Destin Purvis (Deanna Bagwell), Silver Creek; 6 grandchildren, Zach Owens, Jessica Hill, Hallie Purvis, Bentley Bagwell, Scarlett Purvis and Gannon Bagwell; 4 great-grandchildren, MaKayla Royer, Avery Royer, Cole Ridings and Cameron Ridings; 3 siblings, William Ford (Joan), Ray Ford (Brenda), and Alice Hart; a special sister-in-law, Becky Ford; numerous nieces and nephews.
Cards and such can be sent to; 4 Hayes Place, Silver Creek, GA 30173
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 to 6:00 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, in the Chapel at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel. The Rev. Wayne Kines and William Ford will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 3pm until service time on Wednesday at Henderson & Sons Funeral Home, South Chapel.
Located
3002 Maple Road
Rome, GA 30161