Kay Evelyn Ford

Kay Evelyn Ford, born on January 21, 1949, passed away on September 10, 2025, in Mission, Texas. She departed this life while in hospice care, enveloped in the love and friendship of those who held her dear, including her close friend and two daughters who cared for her as if she was family.

Kay was a woman of many talents who lived a full and active life. After graduating from Stephen F Austin State University in 1971 with a dual major in sociology and biology, she made her mark in various fields. Kay was the president of her sorority and earned recognition as a Who's Who in American Colleges. She began her career working as a heart pump perfusionist on Dr. Cooley's first heart pump team in Houston, Texas. Her journey then led her to the bar and entertainment industry in San Antonio, where she owned several clubs, notably one called Skitrow, and operated a singing telegraph service. In a testament to her expansive capabilities, she later transitioned to academia at the University of Texas in Edinburg, where she served as a Professor in Foreign Affairs until her retirement in 2019.

Kay was also a strong activist for women's rights, earning admiration for her commitment and passion on the subject. She was often featured on talk shows, where her voice resonated with many.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Kay cherished the bonds she formed throughout her life. There was hardly a day that Kay didn't get a phone call, a card in the mail, or something from the many friends she had kept in touch with through the years. Her friends rallied around her in her illness showing an immeasurable amount of love and support to not only Kay, but her sister and friends who lovingly cared for her. She is survived by her sister, Mary Margaret Ford Duplanits; her niece, Cheryl Henderson Broussard and her husband, Robert; her nephews, Chad Henderson and his wife, Amber, Don H. Ford, and Stephen Ford and his wife, Donna; and many many cherished friends.

Kay joins her beloved parents, Don H. and Mary Evelyn Ford; her brothers, Thomas "Tommy" Ford and Don Roberts Ford; and her niece, Lisa Ford Tarvin, in eternal rest.

Kay's family extends a heartfelt thank you to Amanda Alvarado and her two daughters who looked upon Kay as a mother and grandmother figure, Millie Smith, Jimmy Smith, Maria Lopez, Lionel Lopez, and her other close neighbors for their incredible friendship and care during Kay's final days. She will be remembered for her vibrant spirit and the profound impact she had on all who were fortunate enough to know her.