James Edward Ward

The fourth of eleven children born to William and Alyce Ward, James Edward Ward was born on September 11, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, IA, where he spent his mischievous childhood and teenage years. At age 19, he joined the United States Marine Corps and left Iowa for Camp Pendleton, CA. He proudly served his country for eight years, from 1972 to 1980. While in the Marine Corps, he married and had two daughters, Jacquelyn and Jennifer. Military life was not easy on the marriage and it ended in divorce.

After leaving the Marine Corps, James moved to Venice, CA, where he met Gloria Blemaster. The two fell in love and, after dating for four years, were married at First Lutheran Church of Venice in November of 1985. They purchased a home in Inglewood, CA in 1989 and were blessed with the birth of a son, Ryan James Ward, eighteen months later. Jim loved Ryan with all his heart and took every opportunity to participate in activities with him as he attended Westchester Lutheran School and Loyola High School. From helping to coach Ryan’s youth basketball team, to volunteering every year with the WLS Carnival, to cooking meals for the Loyola football team, Jim was always there to support Ryan’s endeavors. It was his greatest joy to celebrate Ryan’s marriage to Elizabeth Arcuri in May of 2019.

Before he became disabled from a neck injury, Jim was an avid bowler and even won an Amateur Bowlers Tour championship. He loved golf, fishing, camping, and working in the garden. He enjoyed buying lottery tickets, always optimistic that he would one day hit the jackpot. In recent years, Jim and Gloria volunteered building homes with Habitat for Humanity and ushered together at Westchester Lutheran Church.

On December 13, 2019, James was called home to his heavenly father very suddenly after suffering cardiac arrest at Centinela Hospital in Inglewood. James was predeceased by his father and mother and brothers John, Terry, and Raymond. He is survived by his wife Gloria, son Ryan, daughter-in-law Elizabeth, brothers Dennis, William, and Robert, sisters Mary, Debra, Dawn, and Donna and numerous nieces and nephews.

Whether you knew him as James, Jim, Jimmy, or Jimbo, you certainly knew his engaging smile and the selfless way he was always willing to help a friend, neighbor, family member, or even a stranger. We each have our own special memories of James that we will cherish as he lives on in our hearts forever.

Donations in his name may be made to:

Westchester Lutheran Church and School, 7831 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045

Habitat for Humanity, https://www.habitatla.org

USO, http://uso.org/donate/donate-in-honor