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 Ford 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 was held Sunday, January 31, 2016 in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL at 4:30 pm. Services were officiated by Reverend Dr. Dora R. Gafford of Duncan Memorial UMC of Georgetown. Interment will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 20, 2916, in Elmwood Cemetery in Georgetown. The family will receive friends at The Family Life Center of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church prior to the interment services from 12:45 pm until 1:45 pm. 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. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is assisting the family in Georgetown. Funeral Home: Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home 222 Saint James Street Georgetown, SC US 29440