Thomas Douglas Pendergraft

Doug, a native of Apex, NC, was born on October 18, 1956, to the late Thomas Glenn Pendergraft and Janice Jones Pendergraft.

He graduated from Apex High School in 1975 having played as Left Tackle on the ’74 Capital Area Conference Championship football team (a fond memory for him).

Doug was a lifelong public servant, beginning as an Apex Police Officer in 1977 prior to joining the N.C. State Highway Patrol in 1979. Doug served our State in Alamance and Durham counties before permanently joining the SHP Training staff in 1992. As First Sergeant over the Driver Training Program, Doug became well known for his skill, organization, leadership, and encouragement of camaraderie among all the driver trainers. He was known as “TD” (among many other names) to his Patrol family and was remembered for his loyalty, humor, and complete candor. He never minced words. TD always had a good story to tell and as an instructor who trained thousands of law enforcement officers, his students always had good stories to tell about him. He retired in 2005 as an often-remembered, and never-forgotten, First Sergeant.

He was a protector and guardian of all those he loved, especially his family, a steadfast friend, and had the ability to make anyone laugh. Doug remained close to friends made over the years, including friends from Apex, the Patrol, “Stoneybrook” Steeplechase (you know who you are), WPUMC Supper Club and Daily Walk Class.

Doug was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Glenn Pendergraft and his mother, Janice Jones Pendergraft.

Doug leaves behind his cherished wife of 33 years, Robin Perkins Pendergraft, his daughter, Maddie, his son, Grant, and his sisters, Joyce Young (Norman), Joan Craven (Keith), and Wendy Pendergraft.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 6-8 PM at the Apex Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held to honor Doug’s life at the same on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 11 AM. Inurnment will immediately follow at Apex Cemetery, 100 Upchurch St., Apex, NC 27502.

The memorial service will be livestreamed on Apex Funeral Home’s Facebook page for those unable to attend the service in-person.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of “Doug Pendergraft” at www.alz.org or to White Plains United Methodist Church, 313 SE Maynard Rd., Cary, NC 27512.