Jim Stephenson Ford
August 22, 1935 ~ February 6, 2009
Resided in:
Mills River, NC
James "Jim" Stephenson Ford, 73, of Mills River, died Friday, February 6, 2009 at Park Ridge Hospital.
A native of Madison County, he was a son of the late Gerald Robert and Nina McDevitt Ford.
Jim was a member of the Biltmore Masonic Lodge, where he was a 32nd degree Mason. He was an avid trout fisherman, hunter and bluegrass musician and also loved to golf. He was also a member of Weaverville First Baptist Church.
Jim is survived by his wife of 53 years, Shirlie Williams Ford, one daughter, Terresa C. Stone of Weaverville; one son, James R. Ford and his wife, Karen, of Southport, NC; one granddaughter, Hannah Stone of Weaverville and one sister, Katherine Lomax of Arden.
A funeral service will be held in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 9, 2009.
Interment will follow at Tweeds Chapel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Jim's memory to a charity of one's own choice.
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Terry: my sister Felicia and I want to offer our condolences to you at this difficult time. Many years have passed since we’ve seen you, but we both remember you fondly. Take care and God bless.
Dear Jim: Thank you for being such a great father-in-law to me. From the first time Jimmy introduced me to you, you treated me as a second daughter. The last time I saw you was when you came to the beach for Thanksgiving in 2006. I remember you and I standing on the back porch talking and looking at the ocean just before sunset and you said that you wish you’d been a better dad to Jimmy. I told you that you had been a good dad and that you taught him the thing that has given him the most joy in his life…and that is how to fish. Jimmy also got his wonderful musical talent from you. He loved you very much and always wanted you and Shirlie to be proud of him. I wish we could have spent more time together, but it’s hard when we live on the coast, you in the mountains, and my family in the Nashville, TN area. I try to spend as much time with Mom in Tennessee as I can…especially since Dad died in 2003. She’s still missing him terribly. If you see my Dad as you’re finding your way around Heaven, please tell him that we still miss and love him very much and can’t hardly wait to see him again. Also, please take care of our three dogs (Betty, Little Betty, and Sambo) that went up to Heaven a little over a year ago. They’ll like it if you’ll toss the ball to them every now and then. I still miss them every day…especially my Sambo. Well, Jim, I’m sure we’ll meet again up in Heaven someday. Until then, I’ll do my best to take care of Jimmy for you. Love, your ‘other’ daughter, Karen.
Jim was one of the nicest people I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. His, and Shirlie’s friendship have been very special to my wife and me. I will treasure his memory as long as I live.
Jim was a very nice and unforgettable friend to us. We will remember him as long as we life.
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Sincere sympathy to the family of Mr. Ford. I met him at CVS Pharmacy, where I worked for 3 years and always appreciated his kindness. May God grant each of you His Grace during this difficult time.
Terry, Mrs. Ford, Jimmy, and Hannah so sorry for your loss; Mr. Ford was always caring and compassionate to me; Sending my thoughts and prayers to each of you
Jennye
The Allen Ownbey Family
Am very sorry for your loss. Jim was a most likeable man. I had the pleasure of meeting him while playing golf with our mutual friend Jack Clark.
Shirle & Family,
I am sorry to hear of Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with each of you
I had the privilege to work with Jim at First Citizens Bank for many years. He was very kind to all of us at the bank. When he retired, we all missed seeing him everyday, but knew that he was making people smile elsewhere.
Please accept our deepest condolences. Jim touched many people’s lives. Mine was just one of those. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May God bless.
Terry and Shirlie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please let me know if I can do anything for either of you. I miss seeing you both in the Courthouse.
May God Bless you in this time of need.
Love you, Judy
So sorry to hear of Jim’s passing,,Jim was a very nice person..Cherish his memories they are forever
Shirlie, I was so sorry to hear about Jim. My deepest sympathy to you, Terri, & Hannah. My God be with in your time of need.
Shirley, we would like you and the family to know that we were not aware of Jim’s passing until the day after the funeral services. We are thinking of you in this time of need and treasure the memories of the old golfing days at Brookwood. It seems like days pass and things change and we never hear about those people who were part of our lives at one time during a brief moment until one passes into eternity. We know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus understands all and pray His everlasting arms will hold you until you are reunited in Heaven with Jim.
I want to offer my deepest sympathy to you all at this difficult time. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers and I hope that the memories of you father and husband will help you get through your sorrow. God Bless you all. Kelley