Truman Ward

Truman Lee Ward was born in Fort Worth Texas to parents James Utley Ward and Lillian Viola Rhodes on October 21, 1925. Soon after, the young family moved to Tyler TX where Truman was to become the oldest son of 9 siblings. At age 17 he joined the V12 Naval Officer Training at Tulane University in New Orleans. His training and education continued at Columbia University in New York, where he was commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy. At age 19 he was one of the youngest Naval Officers, and served on the USS Mervine in the Pacific at the end of World War ll.

After the war he completed his education at Tulane and pursued a career as a Research Physicist at the US Dept of Agriculture Southern Regional Research Center in N.O. He accumulated 24 patents and had over 100 professional articles published during his professional career. In addition to many recognitions in research, in 1985 he received the honor of “Professional of the Year” for the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Early in his professional career, Truman and 5 professional friends formed Hexom Inc. and built each other’s houses in their spare time. Working over 14 hours a week in addition to their regular jobs, they completed the houses in 5 and 1/2 years. Five of the lovely brick homes were in the Lakeview area and the last across from Colonial Country Club in Harahan. Truman and his wife remained in their home until Katrina in 2005.

Truman was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for over 63 years. He held many positions of leadership, serving as Lay Leader, teaching Sunday School, and singing in the choir for over 50 years. As Mission Chairman, he created the Hunger Covenant Program, raising over $100,000 with proceeds directed to both Second Harvest Food Bank and Heifer Project International. In addition to his local church commitment, Truman served on many District, State, and National Boards and Committees. He taught for years in Parish prison and helped to found the Community Service Center for prisoner rehabilitation.

But above all of these accomplishments, he was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He provided cherished memories of family trips and celebrations that spanned decades of a rich family life.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, the former Amy Marlow Green, his son Gary Lee Ward and daughter-in-law Cindy Arnoult Ward, son Kenneth James Ward and daughter-in-law Leslie Notley Ward, daughter Sharon Ann Hagan, son-in-law John Hagan, and grandchildren Geoffrey Ian Ward, Blayne Leigh Ward, Colin James Ward, Timothy Andrew Hagan and Kristen Elizabeth Hagan. He is also survived by his youngest sibling, Joseph Utley Ward who resides with his wife Ginger in Frederick, MD, sister-in-law Imogene Ward in Lumberton TX, and brother-in-law Gary Goertzen in Minneapolis, MN, along with numerous nephews and nieces.

The funeral service will be held at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on 5875 Canal Blvd. at 11:00 am on Friday, September 30, 2016 with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church designated for Second Harvest.