Percy "Pat" Arents Ford Jr.

Pat died at Duke Raleigh Hospital. Pat is now resting in the arms of Jesus after a battle with leukemia!

Born in Richmond, VA, Pat enjoyed his exceptionally loving family and a vocation of over 40 years with IBM.

He was preceded in death by his father Percy Arents and mother Virginia Caroline Ford of Richmond, VA.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patricia Novinger Ford; daughter Patricia Arents Ford McGhee husband Michael Cleveland and granddaughter Virginia Arents; son Patrick Allen Ford wife Shannon Hennessey Ford and grandchildren Magdalena Elizabeth, Meghan Rebecca and grandson Jacob Patrick Ford; one sister Gretna Hrivnak, Alpine, CA and one brother “Buddy” and wife Susan Ford from Maidens, VA.

Upon arriving in Raleigh in 1978 Pat served as an active member of North Raleigh United Methodist Church. With Jesus as his model and the encouragement from his church, he was nurtured and encouraged in his walk with his Lord.

Pat attended the Son Rise Sunday School class, the Wednesday Morning Bible Study Prayer and Fellowship. He was a faithful Steven Minister. He helped initiate and lead the prison ministry team at his church and encouraged other Christian congregations across the state to do the same.

In 1994 he was recognized by the NC Methodist Conference as lay leader of the year and later recognized as the NC State Volunteer of the year in the NC Department of Prisons for serving as Yokefellow Volunteer Co-coordinator at Polk Correctional Center.

From 1996-98 Pat served in the US Army Signal Corp.

In his community Pat served two years as Master of Wake Forest Masonic Lodge #282 and two years as District Deputy Grand Master.

The Ford family could never find adequate words of thanks to all the Duke “Raleigh” Hospital and Cancer Institute staff for the professional and compassionate care provided during each visit.

A celebration of life service will be held at North Raleigh United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 2 pm. There will be a reception immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be “designated” to NRUMC Prison Ministry.

“To God alone be the Glory”