[12]
After living with her parents for two and a half years, on February 1, 1917, Gardner married Gerald Rudolff Ford, a salesman in a family-owned paint and varnish company. Though never formally adopted, her young son was referred to as Gerald Rudolff Ford Jr. from then on; the name change was formalized on December 3, 1935.[13] He was raised in Grand Rapids with his three half-brothers from his mother's second marriage: Thomas Gardner "Tom" Ford (1918–1995), Richard Addison "Dick" Ford (1924–2015), and James Francis "Jim" Ford (1927–2001).[14]
Ford was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, and earned that program's highest rank, Eagle Scout.[15] He is the only Eagle Scout to have ascended to the U.S. presidency.[15] Ford attended Grand Rapids South High School, where he was a star athlete and captain of the football team.[16] In 1930, he was selected to the All-City team of the Grand Rapids City League. He also attracted the attention of college recruiters.