The Ford Family

Born	September 2, 1917 Rockford, IL
Died	February 14, 1989 Los Angeles, CA
Father	Frank Joseph Schrom
Mother	Fannie Bort Schrom
Siblings	Gladys Margaret Ford Dorothy Frances Oakley

Spouse	Patricia Schrom
Married	February 14, 1947 Rockford, IL

Bio
In April of 1917, the U.S. enters WW I declaring war on Germany. The Schrom boys, Arthur, Ed, Frank, and Fred, go together on June 5th and sign up for the draft. In September of that same year, Frank Schrom Junior is born. Frank has a sister he may have called "Do Do" (she got the name somehow) who is 6 years older than him. Oldest sister Glady is 11 when Frank Jr comes along.

Family stories indicate there was something just not right about Frank. Top Dog remembers him as "slow". There are no records showing he attended Rockford High School like his sisters, or his cousin Bob who was born the same year, or his cousin Marion, just 3 years older. He does appear in the Lincoln Junior High School year book as a 7th grade student, the year he turns 16. He dropped out of High School after his second year.

In 1933 his father Frank dies "after a long illness" leaving the entire Schrom Clan without the head of the Schrom Restaurant empire...and likely it was a difficult time for 15 year-old Frank. This tragedy could have been a turning point for the student. By 1935 he is working in the Schrom Family restaurant now run by his Uncle Arthur. We know he is still living at home with mom on N. Court Street and working in the restaurant in 1940.

WWII hits and Frank enlists in the Army in October of 1942. He serves less than a year. We don't know what brought him home, but perhaps he was injured. How else could he have met the wonderful nurse Miss Patricia McCormick? Patricia is ten years older than Frank so she is 37 and unmarried when she meets 26 year-old Frank.

Topdog knew Pat and describes her as a wonderful lady. She was very plain, and older, but delightful. Before too long Frank is in love and the romantic couple are married on Valentines day in 1947. They get their own place at 1848 E. State Street in Rockford. We also know that his sister Do Do lived in this building (a duplex) for a few years with her husband Bob. After Bob's death, Dorothy remarries and moves out of the building in...yes...you guessed it, 1947! I like to believe that she guided her younger brother to the place.

Something draws the couple west and they move to California. By 1962 they are living in Los Angeles California. U.S. Veterans affairs lists Frank's last known address as 90505 Torrance Avenue in LA. Interestingly, he died on his 42nd wedding anniversary in 1989 at the age of 71.