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Joel Parrish Ford

About

Clemson University

FUNERAL HOME

J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel

1494 Mathis Ferry Road

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Joel Ford Obituary

Name: Service for Joel Parrish Ford
Start: 2016-01-31T16:30:00.000Z
End: 2016-01-31T17:30:00.000Z
Location: J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel

Joel Parrish Ford Mt. Pleasant - Joel Parrish Ford, beloved son, brother, father and friend, died peacefully in his sleep on January 28, 2016. Joel was born on December 5, 1951 in Georgetown, South Carolina. He is survived by his parents, Mary Louise Parrish and Francis Bell Ford of Georgetown; his son, Phillip Ryland Ford of Mount Pleasant; sister, Mary Louise Ford Stott (Charles C. Stott, Jr.) of Winston-Salem, NC; brother, Francis B. Ford, Jr. (Stella Law Pate) of Georgetown; and nieces and nephews, Mary Louise Bahnson of Asheville, NC, Stella Pate Dawson and Francis Bell Ford, III of Georgetown and Wallace Pate Ford of Denver, CO, and two great-nieces. Joel spent his childhood exploring the woods and waterways of Georgetown. In doing so he developed an enduring love of the Lowcountry. Whether in the dove field, on a wave, or in the creeks, Joel's spirit was most fulfilled when in the landscape he loved. He was an Eagle Scout. Joel graduated from Clemson University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and English, and a Masters in City Regional Planning. In 1978, he was hired as the first full-time planning director for the Town of Mount Pleasant. During his 30 year tenure, Joel over saw what were then South Carolina's most progressive and forward thinking planning initiatives, such as the development of the Town's first Master Plan, creation of the first Commercial Design Review Board, and adoption of the Town's local historic district. He was at the helm in 1989 when Hurricane Hugo hit, and worked tirelessly to help rebuild the lives and futures of many. His interests were wide and diverse. He excelled at tennis and surfing and was an avid sports fan and reader, Cormac McCarthy and Mark Twain among his favorites. His colleagues, family and friends knew Joel as a man who was strikingly clever in conversation, with extraordinary, sometimes devastating, wit and intelligence. His impeccable timing in humor was mirrored in his music, a gift he inherited from his mother and passed down to his son. A talented guitar and mandolin player, his porch was always alive with songs and laughter, especially on Thursday nights. He was the quintessential leader of the band. It is the laughter that his family and friends will miss the most. A Celebration of Joel's Life will be held Sunday, January 31, 2016 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL at 4:30 pm. Services officiated by Reverend Dr. Dora R. Gafford of Duncan Memorial UMC of Georgetown. Interment will be held at a later date in Elmwood Cemetery, Georgetown, SC. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in Joel's memory to the South Carolina Chapter of the Nature Conservancy, 2231 Devine Street, Suite 100, Columbia, SC 29205, or the charity of your choice. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Jan. 29 to Jan. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Joel Ford

14 Entries

Douglas Rinaca

January 22, 2021

I’ll always remember the good times. What fun we had at Wiggins Pass!

Grady and Karla Adkins

February 3, 2016

Very saddened to hear about this loss to the Ford family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Carter Joseph

February 5, 2016

Too all the Ford family, please accept my deepest condolences. This is a great shock to so many people. Just know that your loss is felt, and many people are thinking of you in your time of loss. Joel was quite a guy, and I have fond memories of him, as I do all of you.

In friendship,
Carter Joseph

David Cantey

January 30, 2016

Very saddened to hear this news. Joel was my mentor when I worked for him at the Town of MP in the late 1980s. He was without a doubt the most dominant personality at town hall, a joy to work with and be around.

Frank Collins

January 30, 2016

So sorry for all Family! Joel was a great friend many, many years ago.
He will be missed by family and many friends.
Nancy and I send out love!
God Bless!

February 13, 2016

Joel,I can see you clearly in my mind's eye, with that wry smile on your face contemplating the absurdity of this world...travel on my smart friend.Know you will be missed here..

Carlos & Shirley ,long

February 2, 2016

Dear Friends, Shirley and I are so sorry about your loss.
We cherish the friend of the Ford Family very much. It is so nice to
Be with a family that can help you through this sad time. The Ford's
Are our favorite persons in DUNCAN.

February 1, 2016

Ride that wave thru eternity Joel, may you stay forever young...

Aletha Dukes Smoak

February 1, 2016

Joel a.k.a. Mr. Ford
I don't know where to start. Larger than life. A really great all around guy. I enjoyed the interaction that I had with Mr. Ford as I work for Charleston County Zoning. You could always count on him for his quick wit and funny antidotes. He had a story for every occasion. He will truly be missed but will live on in the hearts many. God Bless you all.

Georgette Maus

January 31, 2016

My sincere condolences to the Ford family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

Georgette Maus - Pawleys Island

Don Embrey

January 31, 2016

Dear Fords and Parishes,

My brother, Joel P. Ford, was a determined individualist, a powerful force for excellence in urban development, a superb raconteur and wit, and a true friend of mine who was unfailingly there for me in my time of trouble. It goes without saying that he will be sorely missed by many, many people. I know that all of his friends have profoundly impacted by his passing.

God Bless you all,
Don Embrey

dennis Daly

January 30, 2016

Joels friendship was a lasting impression in my life. Always bought a smile to my face and treated my son and daughter like his own. The whole Daly family will miss and never forget you

Douglas Rinaca

January 30, 2016

It's both a privilege and pleasure to know Joel. He and I became friends in August of 1970 as freshmen on johnstone hall at clemson. I will never forget the graciousness of his mother and father. They treated me like a son on my first visit to pawleys island. Like Joel, having great pleasure wave riding, we especially bonded one September day in 1970. I will never that session at the north inlet of pawleys. The surf was going off, and we were super stoked! Too many days after college passed without or paths crossing. Marriage, raising kids, professions, etc. took in many diverse directions. Joel, remember those trips to Wiggins pass in southern Florida?? Most recently, Lisa, my wife and your close friend, passed on. My God bless you all. I confident you and Lisa, and the other angels are smiling down on us. Peace be with you

Mark Brown

January 30, 2016

Joel was a good friend and we had many a good time fishing and just hanging out together his lively and colorful personality will be sadly missed RIP my friend!

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