Obituary of John Austin Ford ll

John Austin Ford II, 64, of Chatham County, died on December 10 at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill following a lengthy illness. He was born on October 5, 1948, the only child of John Austin Ford and Mary Williams (Ford) Wagner. Although born in Washington DC, he spent most of his youth growing up in the Raleigh-Knightdale area. He served in Viet Nam and enjoyed a successful career in construction traveling throughout North Carolina, Georgia,Texas, Florida, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and beyond. He also found great pleasure working on fishing boats in Florida, relaxing during weekend fishing trips off the coast of North Carolina, and raising horses in Asheville and Fayetteville. Whatever John did, he did it his way. He enjoyed reading science fiction, playing bridge, throwing darts and later in life found a hidden talent in pottery, throwing and glazing his own pieces. It was during a dart match that he met his wife of 28 years, Margaret Boone Ford. She won the match and his heart. John was preceded in death by his parents. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his sisters Susan Ford Ramsey, Tamela Lynn Ford Cohen, his aunts Norma Florence Ford Boling and Frances Williams Rogerson, his step-father M. Thomas Wagner, sisters-in-law Betty Boone Twamley (Joseph V.), Mary L. Boone, Ada Boone Hoerl (Don), brother-in-law Richard K. Boone, niece Jane Twamley Kendall (Logan), with whom he shared an interest in hobby farming, and nephews David (Erin) Twamley and Steven (Marcella) Twamley, with whom he enjoyed a special friendship, and his four Boxers Kate, Judee, Jasmine, and Jake. A memorial service will be held at Damascus Congregational Christian Church just outside Chapel Hill on Monday, December 17, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Damascus Congregational Christian Church. The family wishes to acknowledge the thoughtful care provided by the staff and doctors at UNC Hospitals. Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill is assisting the Ford family. Online condolences can be sent to www.walkersfuneralservice.com