His passing is being covered by every media outlet out there. From ESPN to CNN and everything in between.
Here are some small pieces from a couple of the articles about this great man.
Gerald R. Ford, who picked up the pieces of Richard Nixon's scandal-shattered White House as the 38th and only unelected president in America's history
"His life was filled with love of God, his family and his country."
He was the longest living president, followed by Ronald Reagan, who also died at 93.
Ford's death marks the second loss for the Michigan football community this year. Legendary coach Bo Schembechler died last month, a day before Michigan played arch rival Ohio State. "At Michigan we have lost a legendary figure who represented the highest ideals of the 'Michigan Man' -- a gentleman who was integrity personified," said Michigan coach Lloyd Carr. "We love him and we will miss him, but we are compensated by the knowledge that his spirit and his love for the University of Michigan will endure."
President Bush called Ford a "great man" who was a "true gentleman." "He assumed power in a period of great division and turmoil," Bush said. "For a nation that needed healing and for an office that needed a calm and steady hand, Gerald Ford came along when we needed him most."
Jimmy Carter, who said Ford "frequently rose above politics by emphasizing the need for bipartisanship and seeking common ground on issues critical to our nation."
"I will always cherish the personal friendship we shared," said the former Georgia governor.
After playing football at the University of Michigan and serving on an aircraft carrier in the Navy during World War II, Ford was elected to the U.S. House in 1948 as a Republican, representing a district that included his hometown of Grand Rapids. He spent 25 years in Congress, working his way up to minority leader in 1965.
In October 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned after pleading no contest to tax evasion. President Nixon, ensnared in the rising Watergate scandal, asked the well-respected Ford to leave Congress to replace Agnew, and he accepted.
According to AP, Ford was the last surviving member of the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President Kennedy in 1963 and concluded that Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone assassin.
In September 1974, Ford granted Nixon a pardon, sparing the former president the prospect of going to prison. The public and political backlash was angry and bitter, with Ford accused of making a tawdry deal with Nixon to secure the White House for himself.
Ford always denied that any deal had been struck. But the pardon colored the rest of his presidency.
"It was a tough decision," Ford told USA Today in an interview in 2000. "We needed to get the matter off my desk. ... so I could concentrate on the problems of 260 million Americans and not have to worry about the problems of one man."
Love him or hate him, agree with his decisions or not. I challenge anyone who is on either side of the debate to say that Gerald Ford was a man of integrity and courage who after his time in public service was over, turned to more enjoyable pursuits including golf, and skiing, as well as supporting charitable organizations, and kept his political views to himself.
He will be missed may he rest in peace.
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