Education:

1983: BA Political Science, Columbia University.

1991: J.D., Harvard Law School

 

Career:

1997-2004: Illinois State Senate (D)

2004: Delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

2005-Present: U.S. Senator from Illinois (D)

 

Gerald Ford (1890-1962)--Adoptive/Stepfather

Dorothy Ayer Gardner (1892-1967) -- Mother

Leslie Lynch King (1886-1941)--Biological Father

Elizabeth "Betty" Bloomer Warren (b. 1918), Wife,wed on October 15, 1948

Children:

Michael Gerald Ford (b. 1950)--Son

John Gardner Ford (b. 1952)--Son

Steven Meigs Ford (b. 1956)--Son

Susan Elizabeth Ford (b. 1957)--Daughter

Religion:

United Church of Christ

Siblings

Half-Siblings on his biological father's side:
Marjorie B. King (Werner) (1921-1993)--Half-Sister

Leslie ("Bud") Henry King (1923-1976)--Half-Brother

Half-Siblings on his mother's side:

Thomas Gardner Ford (1918-1995)--Half-Brother

Richard Addison Ford (b. 1924)--Half-Brother

James Francis Ford (1927-2001)--Half-Brother

Education:

Class of 1931: Grand Rapids South High School (Mich.)
Member of National Honor Society,

Varsity Letter Club,

Glee Club,

Student Council,

Latin Club

Hi-Y (High School YMCA).

Participated in football, basketball, and track. Earned all-city and all-state honors in football.

1935: BA Economics and Political Science, University of Michigan.

Member of: Michigamua (senior men's honor society)

Sphinx (junior men's honor society)

Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity

Interfraternity Council

Student Council.

1941: LL.B. ,Yale University Law School

Member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity.

Career/Occupation:

1940-1942: Attorney/University instructor
--taught a business law course at the University of Grand Rapids. Ford also coached at the University. (See below)

Military Service:

1942-1946 (World War Two): United States Navy
--served aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) , a light aircraft carrier

--served as the assistant navigator, Athletic Officer, and antiaircraft battery officer

While Ford served on the USS Monterey, the ship:

--helped take Makin Island in the Gilberts

--participated in carrier strikes against Kavieng, New Ireland in 1943

--supported landings at Kwajalein and Eniwetok

--participlated in carrier strikes in the Marianas, Western Carolines, and northern New Guinea, as well as in the Battle of Philippine Sea

--Monterey launched strikes against Wake Island

--participated in strikes in the Philippines and Ryukus

--supported the landings at Leyte and Mindoro.

Ford's Service Medals and Citations:

--the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with nine engagement stars

--the Philippine Liberation with two bronze stars for Leyte and Mindoro

--the American Campaign and World War II Victory Medals.

 

1946-1963: Naval Reserves

 

Political Career:

1940: Worked in Wendell Willkie's (R) presidential campaign
--joined a group of reform-minded Republicans in Grand Rapids, called the "Home Front."

1949-1973: United States House of Representatives (R)

1965-1973: House Minority Leader

1973-1974: Vice-President of the United States (R).

1974-1977: President of the United States (R)

Clubs and Organizations (membership):

--American Legion

--Veterans of Foreign Wars

--AMVETS

--33rd Degree Mason

Athletic Career:

Playing Career:

Grand Rapids South High School (Mich.): Participated in football, basketball, and track. Earned all-city and all-state honors in football.

1932-1935: Played center and linebacker University of Michigan Football Team

1932 & 1933: Played on Michigan's National Championship teams

1934: Voted in as the Wolverine's Most Valuable Player (MVP)

1935: Played in the Chicago Tribune College All-Star football game (Now known as the East-West Shrine Game)

1935: Offered professional football contracts by the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. Ford turned them down to coach at Yale.

Coaching Career:

1935-1940: Boxing coach and assistant varsity football coach at Yale

1940-1941: Line coach for the University of Grand Rapids football team

1942-1945: Various coaching and athletic director positions in the U.S. Navy