Jason Alan Ward

Jason Alan Ward, 63 of Nacogdoches, Texas passed away on January 8, 2024, surrounded by his family after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. Jason was a quiet example of what a man should be that he instilled in his sons, his family, and his friends.

Jason was born on November 7, 1960 in Nacogdoches to Jimmy and Sherry Ward. Jason graduated from Center High School in 1979 but not before meeting the love of his life, Rhonda. They dated their senior year and married on December 1, 1979 in Center, TX. Jason and Rhonda defied the odds of marrying at 18 and 19 as they just celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. Their first “date” was Jason taking Rhonda home after church, that set the tone for the rest of their marriage, God was always first.

Jason grew up a cowboy, as his father was a cattle buyer and a cowboy he remained. In 1989 Jason had this bright idea to buy an outfitting business in Colorado, Rhonda being the ever-faithful Houston born wife, agreed and the adventures at Wolf Creek Outfitters in Pagosa Springs began! Jason guided hunters on horseback for elk, mule deer, bear and sheep, while also running cattle on several ranches and guiding snowmobile tours in the winter. Rhonda was the scheduler and bookkeeper of this organized chaos of which they owned and operated for 14 years. While in Colorado Jason served on the Colorado Outfitters Association Board, the Governor’s Task Force for establishing hunting and recreational guidelines as well as serving on the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Friends of NRA committees.

The decision was made in 2002 to sell the business and move back home to Nacogdoches to another adventure – East Texas Appraisal Services. Whatever business they were in, it was always as a team. Jason and Rhonda were very blessed to be able to work side by side for over 35 years.

Jason will be remembered for his “Jasonisms”, his love for his family and his friends -- he truly loved each of them, and if you knew him, you knew it. Jason left this earth with dignity, strength, and the heart of a cowboy. His was a life well lived!

Jason is survived by his wife, Rhonda, son Chad Ward and wife Holly of Anna, TX; son Dillon Ward and wife Amy of Nacogdoches, TX and the absolute lights of his life grandchildren, Hayden, Connor, Slone, Ronan, and Slate Ward.

Jason leaves behind his father, Jimmy Ward of Center, TX, his brother John Ward and wife Bridgette of Center, TX; sister Gina Castro and husband Sergio of Hurst, TX; his mother-in-law Mildred Rothmund of Nacogdoches, TX; father-in-law Bill Rothmund of Idalou, TX; sisters-in-law Rochelle Gibbs and husband Tommy of Merryville, LA; Robin Hunter and husband David of Lexington, KY and Rachel Adame and husband Adrian of Victoria, TX. Nieces and nephews, Landry Ward, Brady Ward Colton Ward, Taylor Seerden, Trevor Seerden and Elizabeth Hunter.

Jason is preceded in death by his mother, Sherry Ward.

Pallbearers will be Chad Ward, Dillon Ward, John Ward, David Hunter, Glenn Hoffpauir and Allen Powell.

Visitation will be held at Cason Monk-Metcalf on Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with services on Friday, January 12, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf with interment to follow at Waterman Cemetery, Shelby County, TX.