posted October 17, 2011 03:04 PM            

NOTE: This section contains biographical lexigrams. Each section is separated by a line. The lexigram text is CAPITALIZED. The narrative back-story is in italics. These original lexigrams are ©2007Intrinsic Development.

HEREDITARILY, NEE A LESLIE IN JULY. HIS FATHER HAD A HISTORY OF HITTING DOROTHY AYER GARDNER AND THEN HE TRIED TO FILLET HIS SON AND SLAY HIS DRYNURSE, AND DOROTHY AYER GARDNER. THEY SPLIT, AND SHE GAINED FULL RIGHT TO HIS LIFE, AND LEFT THE GREAT PLAINS TO GO STAY NEARER HER PARENTS IN GRAND RAPIDS.
Leslie Lynch King, Junior was born in July in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, Leslie Lynch King, Senior was abusive, and threatened to kill Leslie and the baby's nursemaid with a butcher knife. His mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, divorced his father shortly after his birth. She received custody of him and moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, to live near her parents.

SETTLING IN GRAND RAPIDS, DOROTHY FOUND A PARTNER IN GERALD FORD SENIOR (THIS GUY SOLD PAILS OF PAINT - HE LATER GOT APPOINTED TO PRESIDENT OF THE SHOP). HE HAD NOT ADOPTED LITTLE LESLIE -- OUR FUTURE PRESIDENT HAD NOT REALLY HAD A LEGAL ADOPTION!
Gerald, Junior, was never legally adopted by Gerald Ford, Senior. In fact, he did not change his surname from "King" until he was in his twenties.

STAR ATHLETE AT GRAND RAPIDS SOUTH HIGH, ON TO UNDEFEATED TITLES AT UNI.
Ford became captain of his football team at Grand Rapids South High School, coming to the attention of college recruiters. He attended the University of Michigan and played football there, as well, helping them in several undefeated seasons and on to national titles.

LYNETTE POINTED A FOUR-SHOT HANDGUN AT PRESIDENT FORD. AS SHE PULLED THE TRIGGER, A GUARD DARED DANGER AND RESTRAINED THE GUN USING HIS FINGER. GUARDS RUSH FORD TO SAFETY.
Two assassination attempts came within weeks of each other, the first by Lynette Fromme, the next by Sara Jane Moore. In Fromme's attempt, a Secret Service agent wedged his thumb under the hammer of the gun to prevent its firing. The gun was loaded with four bullets.

THEN, IN FOURTEEN-AND-THREE DAYS, ANOTHER TRY AT HIS LIFE. SIPPLE DERAILS THE SHOT, ONE PERSON HURT.
The next attempt, seventeen days later, saw one person injured after Oliver Sipple deflected the shot.

FORD SPLIT 'GAINST PARTY, AND STATED THAT GAYS NEED RIGHTS, TOO. HOPED HIS PARTY AGREES TO STAND FOR PEOPLE OF FREE ORIENTATION.
President Ford was the highest-ranking Republican to support gay and lesbian equality, believing in anti-discrimination for homosexuals.

AFTER HIS NINETIETH YEAR, A FRAIL HEART AND SURGERY IN AUGUST. A RESULT OF HIS FRAIL HEALTH, PONDER HOUSE SALE IN FALL.
In August, 2006 Ford received a pacemaker and underwent angioplasty. His frail health bade him consider selling his home in California after another hospital stay in October, 2006.

THERE FOR THE HOLIDAYS, HIS ELDEST SON DID THE LAST RITES AT HIS FATHER'S DEATH.
Ford's son, Michael, is an Evangelical Minister who was home for Christmas when his father passed away.