John Proctor Ward

John ‘Johnny’ Proctor Ward, a lifelong Birmingham resident, died peacefully after a brief illness on August 14, at the ripe old age of 84. He graduated from Shades Valley High School and attended the University of Alabama. Johnny joined the Air Force where he learned to fly and developed a life-long passion for aviation. Johnny worked in marketing and advertising for a number of firms, including the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, prior to finding his professional calling as the Director of the Alabama Chapter of the National Safety Council.

Johnny was a member of many local flying clubs and organizations including: the Birmingham Aero Club, where he served in many leadership positions; the Civil Air Patrol, where he served 50+ years and achieved the rank of Lt. Colonel; the Birmingham Soaring Society, which he helped to establish and the Experimental Aircraft Association, serving as the president of the local chapter. He was heavily involved with organizing the Young Eagles program at the Shelby Co. Airport, providing free airplane rides for children. He also taught an introduction to aviation class at the Shelby County Airport for anyone who had an interest in flying. He was awarded the FAA Master Pilots Award for 50 years of accident and incident free flying in 2019.

For many years, Johnny also ran the Birmingham International Raceway and Montgomery International Speedway, where he became good friends with many of the up-and-coming NASCAR drivers of the day.

He was a faithful member and usher at the Shades Mountain Community Church where he worshiped for over 45 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Christine ‘Chris’ Ward Tant and his son, Johnny P. Ward, Jr ( Kathy) his former wife Mary Ann Tillery Ward; grandchildren Lauren Haley Tant Hays (Tyler); Molly Blythe Tant; Sara Christine Ward and Kendall Cheree Ward, numerous beloved nieces and nephews, and his great grand pup Dottie Hays. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robinson Jester Ward and Laura Margaret Leland Ward of Birmingham, his sister Vivian ‘Bobbie’ Shannon of Childersburg and brother, Robinson J. ‘Bob’ Ward, Jr., of Huntsville.

Friends and family are cordially invited to a service celebrating Johnny's life on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at 10:00 AM at Shades Mountain Community Church. A committal service will follow at 1:15 at Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made to the Southern Museum of Flight.