James Thomas Ford was born in Kentucky, May 5, 1920, the son of James Gordon and Mary Hughes Ford. He was valedictorian of the graduating class of Boaz High School. Upon completion of a business course at Draughon Business College, he worked as a bookkeeper. While attending Paducah Junior College, he felt the call to the ministry and was ordained in 1941. After transferring to Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, he received a degree in June 1943. He married Mary Helen Crockett on June 20, 1943. They are parents to three sons.

He received the Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1946 from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and later earned the master's degree. He holds a master’s and doctorate in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University. Dr. Ford also holds a degree form Samford University.

From 1972 until 1977, Dr. Ford was Executive Assistant for Administration at West Georgia College. In addition to this primary role, Dr. Ford was also Acting Director of College Relations, which included public relations, publications and printing, and athletics from July 1974 until June 1975. Other roles include the administrative liaison with intercollegiate athletics and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Retention and Recruitment for West Georgia College during 1972 and 1973. He was appointed Assistant Professor of Education and Acting Director of Continuing Education in 1976. Upon resigning his position in 1977, Dr. Ford became Dean and Vice President of Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Georgia and served from 1977 until 1981.

Dr. Ford has served as pastor of several churches throughout Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Virginia and Georgia. He was active in denominational works throughout the South. He is an author having written for Broadman Comments, a series devoted to Bible study. Dr. Ford is the author of “The Truth About War,” written in 1970 published by Broadman Press.