Born
July 14, 1913, Omaha, Nebraska. Moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1914.
High School
Grand Rapids South High School, Class of 1931. Member of National Honor Society, Varsity Letter Club, Glee Club, Student Council, Latin Club, and Hi-Y (High School YMCA). Participated in football, basketball, and track. Earned All-City and All-State honors in football.
College
B.A., University of Michigan, Class of 1935. Majored in economics and political science. Member of Michagamua (senior men's honor society), Sphinx (junior men's honor society), Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Interfraternity Council, and Student Council. Played center and linebacker on U-M football team. Started at center and named team MVP in senior year. Played in East-West College All-Star game and Chicago Tribune College All-Star game. Did not earn All-America honors as popularly believed. Received contract offers from the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions (which Ford turned down in favor of law school).
Military Service
During the attack on Pearl Harbor Gerald Ford lived in Grand Rapids and practiced law. He joined the US Navy in 1942 and remained on active duty until 1946. Ford served aboard the USS Monterey and was discharged with the rank of Lt. Commander. He received the following medals and awards: the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic-American Campaign Medal with one silver star and four bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two bronze stars. Ford remained in the Naval Reserves until 1963.
Children
Michael Gerald (b. March 14, 1950)
John (Jack) Gardner (b. March 16, 1952)
Steven Meigs (b. May 19, 1956)
Susan Elizabeth (b. July 6, 1957)
Vice President
Succeeded Spiro Agnew as Richard Nixon's vice president following Agnew's resignation. Confirmed on December 6, 1973.
Presidential Pets
Liberty, Golden Retriever
Misty, Golden Retriever (Liberty's off-spring)
Shan Shein, Siamese Cat
Died
December 26, 2006, Rancho Mirage, California
Summer and Miscellaneous Jobs
Filled and cleaned paint cans in family paint business; mowed lawns; handled concessions at an amusement park; washed dishes and grilled hamburgers in a restaurant; Park Ranger, Yellowstone National Park; washed dishes in college fraternity house; model.
Law School
LL.B., Yale University Law School, Class of 1941. Member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity, and worked as assistant football coach and freshman boxing coach.
Marriage
Married Elizabeth Bloomer Warren (b. April 8, 1918) on October 15, 1948.
Congress
Served Grand Rapids and Kent County in United States House of Representatives, 1949-1973. House Minority Leader, 1965-1973.
President
Sworn-in as president (at the age of 61 years, 26 days) following Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974. Selected Nelson Rockefeller as his vice president. Left office on January 20, 1977, following general election loss to Jimmy Carter.
Favorites
| Hobby | stamp collecting |
| Breakfast | orange juice, melon, English muffins, and tea with lemon |
| Food | pot roast and red cabbage For recipes see The White House Family Cookbook by Henry Haller (New York: Random House, 1987, pp. 176-179) |
| Dessert | butter pecan ice cream |
| Hymn | The Navy Hymn - "Eternal Father Strong to Save" |
| Drink | coffee, iced tea |
| Color | red |
| Participatory Sports | golf, tennis, skiing, swimming |
| Sports Figure | Al Kaline, Detroit Tigers |
| Parlor Game | bridge |
| Flower | apple blossom, azalea |
| Dance | ballroom |
| Music | jazz, swing |
| Book | non-fiction contemporary history |
| Weather | sunshine on golf course, snow on ski slopes |
| Place to Visit | Vail, Colorado |
| Time of Day, Season | dawn, all seasons |
| Hero | Dwight D. Eisenhower |
| Most Unforgettable Moment | Noon, August 9, 1974, when sworn in as president |
| Most Valued Advice | "That which comes from my wife." |
| Memberships | American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, 33rd Degree Mason |