Mr. Lawrence Ford, Junior, 73, was born on Wednesday, June 14, 1950 in Durham, North Carolina and departed this life on Friday, March 1, 2024 at Duke Medical Center in Durham.

Lawrence loved his family. He was the archivist of his family. He saved every newspaper clipping, photograph, and funeral program related to his many friends and family members—and some celebrities too. He kept his tradition going with each generation, as he tracked the accomplishments and memories of his great-nieces and nephews.

Lawrence was the best person many people knew. His kindness was the first thing many people remarked upon learning of his passing. Lawrence had a giving heart. He loved and cared for the elderly and others in need. He did everything from run errands to providing financial support. Lawrence was also a talker and he took his time doing it. If you were going to have a conversation with him, you better sit down and prepare to be there for a while. But, you also left those conversations with a full heart and something new to think about. He was one of a kind.

Lawrence graduated from Hillside High School and was a proud member of the Class of 1969. He graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce from the School of Business. He retired from Duke Medical Center, where he worked as a Business Analyst, where he was a beloved colleague who mentored many along the years.

Lawrence was a faithful and loyal member to Dorcas Masonic Lodge #460, F&AM since December 18, 1981. He was also formerly active in C-Hudson Chapter No.63, Durham Consistory No. 218, Scottish Rite Masonry (A.A.S.R.F.M.) and Zafa Temple No.176, (A.E.O.N.M.S.) Durham, North Carolina. During his active years, he was always busy and always had the spirit to serve in any capacity needed to assist worthy Master Masons, their widows, and orphans.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Millie Beatrice Ford and Lawrence Ford, Senior, his brothers, George Roberts and Calvin Roberts, Senior.

Left to mourn and remember him are his sisters, Lorraine Ford Clay (Clarence), Brenda Ford Harding (Robert), Doris Ford-Bullock, Edith Thorpe, brother, James Franklin Ford, nieces Renea Roberts, LaTrisha Roberts, Jasmine Hodges-McGhee (Rayshone), Tarsha Ford-Melvin (Tony), Tiffany Clay Johnson (Sean), Tina Livingston, and Sherise Harding, nephews Roderick Roberts, Calvin Roberts Junior, Phillip Ford, and Robert Harding Junior, close friends, Ronald Mangum, Tony Mangum, Grady Langston, Ronald McCoy, Elvert Dorsey, and a host of family, friends, and others who knew him as "Uncle Lawrence."

Services will be on Friday, March 8, 2024 at St. Joseph AME Church (2125 Fayetteville Street, Durham). Visitation will be at 12 noon, followed by the Masonic Rites at 12:45 pm and the funeral service at 1:00 pm.
Burial will be held at Glennview Memorial Park. The funeral service will also be live streamed at https://www.stjosephame.org/ and on the St. Joseph YouTube and Facebook pages

All acts of kindness are appreciated during this difficult time. Donations may be made in Lawrence's honor to St. Jude's Hospital. Condolences may be sent to the Ford Family at 5312 Revere Road, Durham, NC 27713.