Jack Ward, Jr.

Jack Ward, Jr., 59, of Edinburg, died at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 30, 2004, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis. Jack was born in Springfield on April 12, 1945 the son of Jackson Fuller Sr. and Frances Frye Ward. He married Patricia Riley May 1999 in Springfield. He graduated from Springfield High School in 1963 and Western Illinois University in 1968. After living and working in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Florida, he returned to Springfield in 1988. He received his MBA from Sangamon State University in 1995. His employment career reflected his many talents and interests. In New Hampshire, he was the Director in Physical Plant at New England College in Henniker, and later, the proprietor of several small restaurants. In Florida, he was a self-employed contractor specializing in unique homes and major aquatic projects and later worked as Production Manager and Plant Manager for the Poly-Steel Division of Little River Industries. He was employed by Metal Decor in Springfield as Manager of Purchasing and later as Quality Assurance and Support Services Manager. He was most recently employed as the Executive Director of The Illinois Federation of Outdoor Resources. Mr. Ward's love of the outdoors was most apparent in his volunteer involvement with outdoor organizations. He served as Illinois Field Representative for the International Blackpowder Hunting Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois State Chapter of the / National Wild Turkey Federation, a Conservation Congress Delegate, a member of the Conservation Congress Executive Committee, a member of the IDNR Deer Hunting Advisory Committee, and a member of the IDNR Hunting Equipment Technical Advisory Committee. Mr. Ward shared his love of hunting and the outdoors with the younger generation and others through IFOR Youth Camps, Boy Scout groups, NWTF Jake groups, and the IDNR Becoming an Outdoor Woman Program. He wrote articles for Adventure Sports Outdoors, Midwest Outdoors, and the Outdoor Guide. He organized very successful Black Powder Clinics in Springfield during the past ten years. He has been an active member in the Edinburg Lions Club. He is survived by his wife Patti Ward of Edinburg, his parents Jack, Sr., and Frances Jean Ward of Edinburg, his three children, Bill Ward of Telluride, Colorado, Kristi Wolpert of Charleston, South Carolina, Jesse Ward of Tallahassee, Florida, two stepchildren, Polly Foster of Edinburg, and Mike Christofilakos of Springfield, his sister, Lynne Dunham of Salisbury, New Hampshire, a grandson, three step-grandchildren, a step-great-granddaughter, and two nieces. Cremation accorded by the Cremation Tribute Center. A Memorial Gathering will be from 5-7:00 p.m. Friday, December 3, 2004 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. The family of Jackson F. Ward, Jr. is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home and Cremation Tribute Center 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.