Pleasant Ambrose Radford was born on March 26, 1954, in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and embarked on his eternal journey on May 9, 2024. A loyal husband, nurturing father, devoted family member and a dear friend to many, he was a beacon of light, guiding us through life’s joys and challenges with his words of wisdom and unwavering love.
Pleasant was a devoted husband, sharing 42 years of deep companionship and love with his beloved wife, Inez Fontaine Radford. Together, they weathered life’s storms and celebrated its triumphs, raising two children, Pleasant Radford, Jr., and Plezena Amedore.
As a father, he instilled values of integrity, hard work, and empathy. His children were not only his pride and joy but also the recipients of his wisdom and guidance as they ventured through life.
Pleasant was a man of exceptional talent and character. An excellent communicator and writer, he possessed a gift for storytelling that captivated hearts and minds alike. His words were imbued with wisdom, warmth, and a profound understanding of the human experience.
Raised in the Jim Crow South, Pleasant bore witness to the injustices of segregation and racial discrimination, yet he refused to be defined by the limitations imposed by society. Inspired by his mother’s courage and his father’s quiet leadership, he stood against prejudice and inequality, advocating for justice and dignity for himself and others. He graduated from Christian County High School in 1972 and soon after enrolled in the United States Navy. Pleasant’s life journey took him across the globe during his service in the Navy, from the shores of Vietnam to the streets of Taiwan, Japan and Thailand. His travels broadened his perspective and enriched his understanding of the world, shaping him into the compassionate and empathetic man he was known to be. He attended Aviation Fleet Preparatory School and was trained as a flight loadmaster. He also acquired skills in power plants and related systems, organizational maintenance, survival, and evasion. He was discharged in 1975 as a Petty Officer Third Class, Rank E-4.
Outside of his professional endeavors, including graduating at the age of 45 with his Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies at Governors State University, Pleasant found solace and joy in simple pleasures: sipping coffee, watching sports, fishing, eating cinnamon rolls and sharing stories with loved ones. He was a devoted member of his church community, serving in various capacities as an usher, Brotherhood Ministry leader and a Sunday School teacher and touching the lives of many with his kindness and grace.
Pleasant is preceded in death by his father, Raymond Radford; mother, Elnora Radford; sister, Sibyl Smith; brothers, Bobby Mansfield, Robert Radford and Bernard Radford. He is survived by his devoted wife, Inez Radford; loving children, Pleasant Radford, Jr and Plezena Amedore; daughter-in-law, Toni Newborn Radford; cherished grandson, Xavier Radford; sisters, Ramona Kinniebrew and Movinia Spencer; and countless friends and loved ones whose lives he touched with his kindness, grace and fun stories.
As we bid farewell, let us remember the love, laughter and fun stories he shared with us all. His legacy of love and storytelling will live on in the hearts of those he touched. He will be deeply missed, but his spirit will guide and inspire us, reminding us to embrace each moment with kindness and story.