On Monday, November 4, 2019, Richard Lee Ward transitioned to glory at the age of 61 years old. Richard was born November 16, 1957, in Sidon, Mississippi to Allen and Vera Ward. Richard was raised and educated in East St Louis, Illinois where he received his diploma at Hughes Quinn High School in 1975.
Richard briefly worked as a construction flagman and a crewman on the Admiral Tourist boat in St. Louis before he decided that he needed to do something more fulfilling and joined the U.S. Army in December 1979. While in the service, Richard’s primary specialty was Aircraft Armament/Missile System Repairer. He excelled at his job and received several badges, medals, ribbons, and accommodations. He served his country honorably with valor and distinction and received an honorable discharge on September 25, 1992. After leaving the service, he worked as a helicopter mechanic with DynCorp.
In 1981, he married the love of his life, Josephine Blackwell, who continued to support him until her untimely death, May 15, 2019. Together they raised two children, Jessica and Janine who made him proud by their Christian values, self-respect, life choices, and desire to be and give their best effort daily. His grandson, Frank Simon III was the apple of his eye and brought him much joy with his smile, boundless energy, and inquisitiveness during his time illness.
Richard was dependable, a leader, but steadfast in his beliefs. A man of many words, his favorite catch phrase was, “What’s Ward spelled backward - Draw”. Yes, he was intrigued with weaponry and enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking, and spending time with family and lifetime comrades that he met while in the service, - the “dog pound”.
Richard was raised a Baptist and was called the little deacon among his young peers. He strayed but found the Lord again later in life, joining Balanced Believers Ministries where he embraced and continued his Christian growth.
Richard hailed from a large family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters Mae Liza, Ecclesiastes (Cle) and Veela (Wilma) and brothers Clayton and John Allen. He is survived by and leaves to mourn three daughters Jessica and Janine Ward of Killeen TX and Shaquana McCalpine of Tuscaloosa AL; 5 grandchildren; sisters Louise Pitts Huntsville AL; Emma Lewis Baltimore MD; Marie McGee Highpoint NC; Talthinia Rogers Ward Highpoint NC; brothers William Jones Marks MS and Daniel Ward TX, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
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