T alk about the “ old days ” in Allen and the name Pete Ford will inevitably pop up . The long time Allen insurance agent and businessman seemed to devote his life to the service of his local schools and community . His name was placed on Allen ISD ’ s first middle school in 1983 but many residents today know little about the many who knew everyone .
Walter Everett “ Pete ” Ford was born on a small farm in Allen in 1911 . His family was among the very first settlers in Allen establishing a farmstead near the Ford Middle School property in the 1840 ’ s . He attended the “ new ” Allen School on Belmont Street and was one of four students in his 1929 graduating class . Seven years later he married Glenda Perry .
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A Look Back : Pete Ford
He worked at a service station after high school and later purchased the business which was located at the corner of Main and Greenville ( known as the crossroads ). He later sold Chevrolets for a dealership in McKinney and often provided convertibles for the city ’ s Downtown Merchant Holiday Parade .
Pete was best known for the insurance and real estate business he operated in downtown Allen . He owned part of the building which is currently occupied by Rodenbaugh ’ s Appliance & Flooring and his wife Glenda managed a dry goods store in the same building .
“ Pete Ford was one of the first people I met in Allen ,” recalled Dr . ET Boon , a retired dentist and Allen ISD school namesake . “ He was involved in a number of organizations and projects that helped our city and schools .”
Ford was the first president of the Progressive Citizen ’ s Club and served as president of the Lion ’ s Club , Allen ’ s only service organization at the time . He helped the city acquire its own water system and purchase
Allen businessman Pete Ford standing on property for the new Ford Middle School , which opened in 1983 .
their first pumper fire truck from Richardson . Former superintendent of schools , DL Rountree , was a close friend of Ford ’ s , and they could both be found knocking on doors and drumming up support for any number of community causes .
“ Pete and Glenda never had children ,” added Boon “ but they were big supporters of the schools . He knew that good schools would make Allen more attractive and bring in new business .”
“ There wasn ’ t a yearbook or athletic program that didn ’ t have a Pete Ford advertisement in it . He was always supporting church and school fundraisers ,” said local historian Tom Keener . “ He also had an instinct for the future . Even though it was a small town , he could foresee where the retail and housing would be and he helped a lot of businesses get established .”
“ He was the reason we moved to Allen in the first place ,” recalled Connie Rodenbaugh of Rodenbaugh Appliances . “ My late husband Don and I were looking to move into the Plano area in 1960 and Pete said he had a place available way out in the country . It ’ s not in the country anymore but we stayed .”
“ Pete Ford was like a grandfather to my children ,” she added . “ Both he and Glenda enjoyed kids and were good friends to many people in this town .”
Pete and his wife Glenda were active in the First United Methodist Church of Allen for over 50 years and he remained a great supporter of our schools and community until his death in 1992 . Glenda passed away in 2004 .
Upon hearing about the naming of this school , Pete once said “ I don ’ t know why they named this school after me . I think the school board was working late and my name was easy to remember .”