Earl Ford - W8KIU
[Ed. Note: It is with great sadness that we learned of Earl's passing on July 17, 2021. The following is a tribute written by Earl's friend, Tom - N8NJY.]
Earl Ford W8KIU passed away on Saturday July 17th 2021 in Gladwin. Earl left us behind to speak a bit about his past.
Earl was a long time member of the Ford Tin Lizzy Club where I met him five decades ago plus a few more added on. He was the club secretary with a tape recorder and never missing a worthy comment in the club newsletter. Prior to all of this, Earl enlisted in the Air Force in Saginaw, Michigan in 1956 and spoke often of learning and doing German, in Wurzburg. Earl completed his military obligation with the U.S. Air Force and career ended as Airman First Class as a ground communication radio specialist. He knew at that time, that he was not going to let go the microphone cord and became an ARRL [FCC] licensed Extra Class radio operator.
At that time, who would have known that he would continue as a communicator. He did so and mentored his wife Judie K8KIU to be licensed. Judie idled her call in March 2018 leaving Earl behind to continue with his radio plans and everything she taught him.
Earl was one for regular net check-ins and did so near daily with the Air Force Flyers Club 20 and 40 meter nets.
Earl had a collection of microphone’s and wouldn’t let go of any of them as one might be connected to a distant radio station. He held on to the microphone for as long as he could but in time, the buttons on the Baofeng just got too small to comfortably handle and the battery late failed.
The past eighteen months had been difficult for Earl but he did his best to check into the K8OAR and the Gladwin Club radio nets as often as he could.
The past eighteen months had been difficult for Earl but he did his best to check into the K8OAR and the Gladwin Club radio nets as often as he could.Earl leaves behind the best for me and I am happy to share this with you. With confidence, I can speak comfortably for many others that knew him as well.
He left the surly bonds of earth and life with the intention to see others move forward and enjoy the camaraderie of being a World Wide Communicator.
73 and Oh, that means best regards, he often said… !
Thomas Musolf N8NJY