I was making a film called The White Tower at the foot of Mont Blanc - the one thing I learned from that experience was that it's more difficult to go down a mountain than to go up. A lot of people don't realize that.

He was promoted to commander in 1963 and captain in 1968. He suggested doing a western series instead which resulted in the "modern day western" series Cade's County. Death
Ford suffered a series of minor strokes which left him in frail health in the years leading up to his death.

Despite his versatility Ford was best known for playing ordinary men in unusual circumstances.