On January 26, my at the time 16-year-old son, Joe Ford, was found unresponsive in an ice fishing tent on a local farm pond. Upon further investigation while fishing the night before as it was very cold, he used a propane heater to keep warm, not thinking of the danger involved, the carbon monoxide that it produced took my son‘s life. As we approach the one year mark, I tried to think of something that I could do to honor my son. 

He was constantly looking for someone to help, he wanted to be an impact on someone’s life. To continue that, I want to do a free giveaway in Joe’s community. We are looking for not only monetary donations, but also as many new carbon monoxide detectors as we can get. We will be on the local radio station WWKI in Kokomo, Indiana in the coming weeks to talk about Joe’s legacy! On the radio, we will give out the local Kokomo locations where we will be handing out the carbon monoxide detectors to sportsman and local homeowners who do not have one. Our goal is to hand out 1,000 carbon monoxide detectors.  No parent should ever have to bury their child. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer and without detectors you’ll never know it’s there. Please consider donating to this cause to honor Joe Ford. Your kindness and gratitude is greatly appreciated.

100% of donations will go to the 'Joe Legacy Fund' after processing fees through PHARE Warrior public charity 501(c)(3) based in Central Indiana. PHARE Warrior runs the men's program FIGHT CLUB, which I am a member of, to help men find purpose, Jesus, and brotherhood. 

-Steve Ford

Joe formerly attended Western School Corp. as a sophomore at Kokomo High School circa 2025.  He was passionate about anything outdoors, but especially hunting, fishing, and golfing. Joe was an 8 year member of the Howard County 4H program, where he loved working with swine and on alfalfa projects, and being a 4H camp counselor. He treated his GMC truck as his baby and took great care of it. He loved music and dabbled in playing guitar. He had dreams of a career in guide services and was taking welding classes at the Kokomo Area Career Center. Joe loved being a brother to his siblings and will be remembered for being the most kind-hearted boy and having an infectious smile.