Albert "Huts" Clifford Fort Obit

ALBERT "HUTS" CLIFFORD FORT, 93, of Deerwood, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024 at the Cuyuna Regional  Care Center in Crosby.   Born in Crosby on Oct. 28, 1930, the son of Lloyd and Edna (Stofferahn), Albert was raised in Crosby, Minnesota. After graduating from Crosby-Ironton High School, Albert served in the Army as a platoon Sergeant in the Korean War and then twelve years in the Minnesota National Guard Reserve as First Lieutenant.  He received the Korean Service Medal, the Bronze Campaign Star and the United Nations Service Medal. On July 21, 1956, Albert married Mary Joan “Judy” (Ross) Fort, the love of his life.  He was a loving husband and father who enjoyed spending time with his family playing cards, hiking in the woods, gardening, fishing, golfing, reading, going on truck rides exploring new areas and hunting deer, duck and pheasant. Following his military service, Albert worked as an underground miner for 12 years for Inland Steel on the Cuyuna Range. He worked as a police officer in Crosby for a year before becoming the Chief of Police for 22 years until he retired. He received the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Service Award on June 23, 1993. He served on the Brainerd Chamber Area Crime Prevention Committee, Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association. Albert served as a member of The Salvation Army Advisory Board. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby where he served as a lay minister and lector. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an instructor for the Rite of Christian Initiation and for Marriage Preparation classes. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Edna (Stofferahn) Fort; his brothers, Bill Fort and Floyd “Buster” Fort; and his sisters, Darlene Anderson and Verna Murray. Albert is survived by his children, Jennifer Fort-Strietzel (Mark); Stephanie Fort-Medlin (Patrick); Elizabeth Fort-Missaghi (Soheyl); Cynthia Fort; Sarah Fort Kramer (Russ); and Matthew Fort (Katie); his 12 grandchildren: Max and Mercedes Medlin; Daniel Missaghi (Kiara); Sophia Missaghi; Farah Missaghi (Jake); Sam Reis; Joseph Kramer; Ava Kramer-Ghazi (Hakeem), Julia and Olivia Kramer; Jacob and Natalie Fort; and three great-grandchildren: Blair, Hendrick and Sebastian Missaghi; and brothers, John Fort and Lloyd Fort. A Visitation and Rosary will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25 with an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Crosby. Following a police escort, the burial will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Crosby with a Color Guard Service. Luncheon will follow.   Arrangements are with the Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.