In memory and tribute: Carol Butler Ford

Life story

Carol Butler Ford was born on March 23, 1957, to J. Lee and Diane Butler. She was raised in Spanish Fork, Utah, where she went to school and graduated from Spanish Fork High School. She spent her life loving and serving that community.

Carol met the love of her life, Doug Ford, and they were married on June 20, 1974. For more than 50 years they built a life together and stood by each other through everything. They raised four children, Brian, Leslie, Brad and Mike. Being their mother was the joy of her life, and she was involved in whatever interests the kids had, from softball to hunting to rodeo to trapshooting. Doug and Carol were also a team in business. Together they started Hickory Kist and later Mountain Country Foods. They treated their employees like family. Not long ago they celebrated 50 years in business and their 50th wedding anniversary with all their employees in Hawaii.

Carol was a renowned, award-winning quilter. She belonged to the Maple Mountain Quilt Guild and the Utah Valley Quilt Guild, and she served on the board and as president of both. She won countless ribbons, including several at the Springville Museum of Art. She loved Sunday dinners, family gatherings, lunches out, time in the mountains, and fishing the rivers of Alaska. More than anything she loved being a grandmother. She was found at baseball games, soccer fields, school events and birthday parties, and it is hard to find a photo of her without a grandchild on her lap.

Carol passed away unexpectedly on August 19, 2024, from complications after a heart attack while on a girls trip in Alaska, a place she loved. She was 67. She is survived by her husband Doug, her children, 19 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Her son Brad, her parents, and her in-laws Garth and Margie Ford passed away before her.

Obituary

The funeral service will be streamed live. Please return to Carol's memorial page shortly before 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, and click on the link below.

Livestream Link

Carol Butler Ford (age 67) beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away unexpectedly from complications following a heart attack while on a girls trip in Alaska on August 19th, 2024.

Carol was born on March 23rd 1957, to parents J. Lee and Diane Butler. She was raised in Spanish Fork, UT and spent her life loving and serving in that community. She attended schools there as a girl and graduated from Spanish Fork High School.

She met the love of her life, Doug Ford, and was married on June 20th, 1974. For over 50 years they built a beautiful life and were by one another’s sides through everything.

Together they raised four children, Brian, Leslie, Brad, and Mike. Being a mother to them was the joy of her life. She spent countless hours as a mother caring for them and being involved in whatever the kids’ interests were, from softball to hunting to rodeo to trapshooting.

Doug and Carol were a team in family and in business. Together they started Hickory Kist and eventually Mountain Country Foods. Their employees are considered family, and they’ve made it their mission to take care of those who work so hard for their company. They recently celebrated 50 years in business and their 50th wedding anniversary with all their employees in Hawaii.

Carol had a heart as big as the Alaska that she loved, and everyone was welcomed in. She connected deeply with people, getting to the heart and soul of a person. Her love looked like action and hard work, always reminding us that the way we spend our time really does matter.

Carol loved the outdoors and the mountains. Her favorite places in the world were her cabin in Birdseye and her cabin in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Carol loved the community of Spanish Fork and looked for ways to be involved and to serve, participating in many projects that have blessed so many lives.

She believed in and loved education, giving hours of her time to Nebo School District volunteering in schools with her kids, serving in the offices of Spanish Fork High and being involved in projects on a district level.

She worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce and volunteered at the Spanish Fork Gun Club, and contributed to many other events and organizations.

She was an Honorary Colonel for the Utah County Sheriff’s Office, always passionate about supporting the local police force.

She loved the Fiesta Days Rodeo and the Demolition Derby. Carol and Doug worked closely with rodeo officials to help support the event. Their legacy lives on as members of the Fiesta Days Rodeo Hall of Fame.

She was a renowned and award-winning quilter. She was a member of the Maple Mountain Quilt Guild and the Utah Valley Quilt Guild and served on the board and as president of both over the years. She won countless ribbons, including winning at the Springville Museum of Art multiple times.

She loved to spend time with her family – Sunday dinners, extended family gatherings, going out to lunch, being in the mountains together, fishing on the rivers of Alaska or waiting for the kids to come back from a hunt with a hot meal and listening ear.

More than anything, Carol loved being a grandmother. She was found at baseball games and soccer fields, school events and birthday parties. She was always there to support and to cheer. It’s hard to find a photo of Carol without a grandchild on her lap. Her grandkids knew that Grandma always had a loving heart for them no matter what.

Carol is survived by her loving husband Doug, her children Brian Ford, Leslie (Robert) Hight, Mike (Alyssa) Ford and her daughter-in-law Tahsha (Kyle) Wilson. Her siblings Randy (Donna) Butler, Kay (Earl) Hansen, Laura (Brent) Taylor, & Brent Butler, along with her in-laws Pam (Steve) Wright, Kimmie (Rick) Aller, & Russ (Amy) Ford. As well as her 19 beloved grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, J. Lee and Diane Butler, in-laws Garth and Margie Ford and her beloved son Brad, with whom she is surely having the sweetest reunion.

The viewings will be held on Monday, August 26th from 6-8pm, and Tuesday August 27th from 9-10am at Walker Funeral Home (187 S Main Street Spanish Fork).

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, August 27th at 11am at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena. (475 S. Main Street, Spanish Fork).

Interment will be held at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery (420 S 400 E Spanish Fork).

The Ford family would like to thank all the medical staff in Alaska for the exceptional care she received while she was there. We also extend heartfelt gratitude for the love and support of our family during this time. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you go spend time with your family and look for ways to make a difference wherever you are. For Carol.

Monday, August 26, 2024 6:00 - 8:00 pm Walker Funeral Home 187 South Main Street Spanish Fork, UT 84660. MAP

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 9:00 - 10:00 am Walker Funeral Home 187 South Main Street Spanish Fork, UT 84600. MAP

Tuesday, August 27, 2024 11:00 am Spanish Fork Fairgrounds Rodeo Arena 475 South Main Street Spanish Fork, UT 84660. MAP

Spanish Fork City Cemetery 420 South 400 East Spanish Fork, UT 84660. MAP

My deepest and sincere condolences to the Ford Family especially to Doug, all this came as such a sad surprise, just want to say hang in there Doug I’ve been praying for you and you’re family 🙏🏽🙏🏽 She will be missed but also remembered for the great person she was.

My deepest and sincere condolences to the Ford Family especially to Doug, all this came as such a sad surprise, just want to say hang in there Doug I’ve been praying for you and you’re family 🙏🏽🙏🏽 She will be missed but also remembered for the great person she was. She died on a very special day for me , I was born on that day God bless you and you’re family as you go through this hard times .

Thinking of you, Ford Family. Your mom was a wonderful lady. Love and prayers for all of you. <3

Doug and family, We were so sad to hear about your loss. When you lose someone so dear to you, words will never be enough. But please know you are all in our prayers.

The Cameron Ford Family

I am sharing in your grief and so shocked to here about Carol! Thinking of all of you and sending my thoughts and love.

My sincere and deepest condolences to Doug and the Family, Sir you all are always in my prayers, May the comfort and blessings of Heavenly Father be with you and the family at this difficult and sorrowful time. May the soul of your beloved wife Carol Rest In Peace.

So so sorry. She was something special

Dear Mr Dough. We want to send our condolences for the passing of your wife.we hope that you and your family are well during this difficult time.. May God’s comfort be with you and that the hope of eternity bring peace and comfort to you and your family.

What a lovely tribute to a very nice lady. God Bless your family at this time. Bonnie Ballard

Doug, My heart and prayers are with you and your family at this difficult time. The video was as beautiful as Carol, you and your family as well. May God be with you! I’m so sorry!

Doug, You and your family are in my prayers at this difficult time. The video was as beautiful as Carol, you and your family as well. May God be with all of you!

Doug and family- May our thoughts and prayers be with you at this time. Your wife and mother was a phenomenal woman. What good memories you must have. Lean on them to remind you of the joy she brought into your life. May God be with you. Lisa Ford-Bunkall Family

From the original obituary.

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