Mr. Hassan D. Ford

With our deepest sorrow, we announce Mr. Hassan Davis Ford, made his transition on September 21, 2021, at 4:37 a.m., at OSF Saint Francis Hospital in Peoria, Illinois, at the age of 39, after a short but difficult battle with COVID-onset double pneumonia since August 2021.

Hassan Ford entered this world in Chicago, Illinois, on June 29, 1982, as Mr. Jimmie Davis Ford’s fifth-born and Ms. Karyn Woods’ first-born son.

Hassan is survived by his partner-in-love, Brittany Bainter, of Galesburg, Illinois; his biological and de facto children, Alexander, Nadia, Jaxson, Evander, Erik, and Erika, of Galesburg; his parents Karyn Freeman of Galesburg, and Jimmie Ford of Fayetteville, Tennessee; his sisters, JoAnna (Gregory) Kelly (Ford) of Evans, Georgia, Tamika Beckom, of Sioux Fall, Iowa, Tracey McDonald (Beckom) of Galesburg, Ramona Shumaker of Chicago, and DeLisa Tribble, of Detroit, Michigan. He is also survived by his brothers, Nakia (Reese) Lewis of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Marcellus (LaTasha) Ford, of Dolton, Iowa, Kimmie Tribble of Detroit, and brother-in-love, James McDonald, of Galesburg; his aunts, Lorraine Washington (Woods), Josephine "Renee" Williams, LaVerne McQuirter, Yolanda Stewart (Ford), Brenda Dixon (Ford), Carol Ford, his uncles, Richard (Tonya) Lewis, Arnold (Robin) Woods, and Dexter Ford; his auntie-in-love, Ruby Turner, and a vast host of very close nieces, nephews, cousins, family-friends, and friends.

Hassan was preceded in death by his grandparents, Malinda “Sally” Arnold (Evans), Ersel Woods, Jimmy Lee Ford, Ruby Smith, and Virginia (Birder) Roberts; his mother-in-love, Jerrie Shumaker, and his brothers, Ramon “Red” Shumaker and Juan Ford.

Hassan started his early years from 1982-1987 and most childhood summers in Chicago but spent most of his life creating memories in Galesburg. Being raised in a house full of girls, he was relatively spoiled in some respects but would stop at nothing to be that ear and support for his loved ones. Hassan grew up Christian and was baptized April 25th, 1995, at New Home Missionary Baptist Church, and while he knew that bible front to back, later in life, he identified as Atheist. He attended Galesburg High School, where his sport of choice was wrestling.

Upon graduating in 2000, he enlisted in the United States Army as an Ammunition Specialist, stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, then decided that was enough sandbox adventures for him and separated in 2003.

He stayed in Columbus, Georgia, working construction and connecting with his sister until 2005, when he returned to Galesburg. He reconnected with local family and loved ones and met the future mothers of his children, to become the awesome father we all knew he would be.

You couldn’t help but to love Hassan, his big infectious smile, his jovial spirit, and a heart of gold drew you in, there was no such thing as a stranger to him. His ability to wear his heart on his sleeve, despite how difficult it typically is for men, was a badge he wore out front with such grace and honor, made you love him even more! A hard-working man dedicated to his family and devotion to Brittany- nothing besides saving for her ring hindered them and their families’ goal of progressing the union they were building. He worked two jobs, at Target and Dick Blick, to make sure his children were cared for in every aspect of their lives, and after patiently waiting for years, he finally landed his dream career goal at BNSF railroad, as a Section Man. He spent his time investing in and enjoying his children, gaming at length with his bro-cousins, Pierre, Melvin, Will, and close nephews, traveling with his family, indulging in weekend “porch conversations” with family and family-friends well into the mornings, swimming, pickling cucumbers, and enjoying good food and spirits. Your legacy will precede you- we will guarantee that. Your stories will live on, and we will love you always.

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Friday, October 1, 2021, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Chapel, in Galesburg, with an official service to follow, starting at 4:00 p.m. Friends are welcome to come to an open house visitation from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., however, the family will not be present at that time. A private family burial will be at East Linwood Cemetery, in Galesburg. In accordance with the CDC and IDPH COVID guidelines, attendees will be required to wear a mask in the funeral home, along with social distancing. The family also respectfully requests no hugging or embracing during the service for the safety of the possible vaccinated, non-vaccinated, and children that will be present. The family also suggests casual to business casual attire for the service and visitation. Hinchliff-Pearson-West in Galesburg is honored to serve the family. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com

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