In January 2015, the Cleveland Chiropractic College family lost two long-time servants of the institution and the profession with the passing of Dr. Gloria Lee-Ford and Dr. Andrew Wymore. As these individuals selflessly gave of themselves, we give to them a final tribute in honor of their service to the College, the profession and humanity.
DR. GLORIA LEE FORD ’72
Dr. Gloria Lee Ford, 78, passed away on Jan. 10, 2015. Born in Tyler, Texas, in 1937, her family eventually moved west during her youth, eventually settling in Vallejo, Calif. They later moved to Los Angeles. She worked hard and raised a growing family, but always knew she wanted more control of her destiny in life. By the late 1960s, she found her calling, and in 1972, she graduated from Cleveland Chiropractic College-Los Angeles.
Dr. Gloria enjoyed healing and helping the public for more than 40 years. As one who possessed an entrepreneurial drive, she opened her first practice in Los Angeles, and then a second, and then one in Pasadena and another in San Bernardino. A champion of the profession, her love inspired three of her cousins to also pursue a career in chiropractic.
Always desiring to give back, she welcomed Cleveland students into her clinic for their preceptorships. She was nominated to serve on the College’s Board of Trustees in 1992 and served through 2007. She was unanimously selected as Emeritus Trustee in November of 2010.
Dr. Carl S. Cleveland III, president, recalled Dr. Gloria as a person making a difference in whatever she did.
“As a doctor, Dr. Gloria was respected by her patients,” Cleveland said. “As a businesswomen and entrepreneur, she provided employment for others, enabling them to become gainful wage earners. As a professional, she was a role model for women and men within her community. Through her encouragement, and by her example, countless students from her community entered colleges and universities to pursue their higher education degree. Still today, she may hold the record for encouraging students to follow her path and become a doctor of chiropractic.”
Cleveland went on to say that her recognition and awards were many over the years and each was deserved. Continuing to express his gratitude, Cleveland said it was a pleasure to have been a part of her life, and to have the opportunity to not only to know her, but also to work with her and love her.
“She will forever be a part of the fabric of the chiropractic profession and will always be remembered, celebrated and loved by family, friends, community and patients,” Cleveland said.
Dr. Gloria leaves behind her husband Don Ford, and an extended family of whom she was very proud. They loved her, just as she was loved by nearly everyone she met.
A Celebration of Life ceremony was held for Dr. Gloria on Jan. 21, at University Christian Church in Los Angeles.
DR. ANDREW WYMORE ’53
Dr. Andrew Wymore, 85, passed away on Jan. 24, 2015. A 1953 graduate of the Cleveland Chiropractic College-Kansas City, Wymore enjoyed a 60-year career that also included serving on the College’s Board of Trustees, the Cleveland Alumni Association and on the Board of Directors of the International Chiropractors Association. He was also named “Alum of the Year” in 2005.
Wymore was born Sept. 13, 1929, in Juniata, Neb. He moved to Kansas City to attend the College, where upon he met and married JoAnn Melching. The couple raised four children, eventually becoming grandparents and great-grandparents. Wymore was devoted to the chiropractic profession and was committed to educating and caring for people. In addition to his practice, Wymore was also an artist, and was involved with the Kansas City Artists Coalition.
Cleveland III shared his reflections of Wymore and what he has meant to the College and the legacy he left behind.
“Some of my earliest childhood memories at Cleveland College were the homecoming and alumni events that included Dr. Andy Wymore, his wife Joann, and mother-in-law, Dr. Mildred Melching ’40,” Cleveland said. “As part of a four-generation chiropractic family, today his daughter, his former son-in-law and two grandsons carry the tradition forward. Dr. Wymore was a loyal friend and a supporter of Cleveland both in LA and KC, and an advocate for the chiropractic profession for over six decades.”
Wymore was a charter member of the Cleveland Ambassador Society established in 1981 to provide the initial funding for what would become the Cleveland College Foundation Fund. As chairman of the board of trustees, he was instrumental in the success of relocating the Cleveland-LA campus to the Vermont Ave. location in 1976, and in relocation of the Kansas City campus to the Rockhill Road site in 1977.
Wymore leaves behind an extended family. A memorial service was held for Wymore Jan. 29 at Unity Church of Overland Park.
