Frederick Wayne Ward

Frederick “Freddie” Wayne Ward - devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather and uncle, loyal friend, and proud veteran - met his Savior in the early hours of Thursday, May 30, 2024. He was 81 years young.

Born on March 19, 1943 in Hartford, Alabama, Freddie was the only child of James and Hazel (Crocker) Ward. What he lacked in siblings he more than made up for in extended family with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins between the Ward and Crocker families. He remained close with many of them for the duration of his life.

He briefly attended Auburn University before enlisting in the US Army in 1963 where he eventually became an officer and aviator. He chose to volunteer to serve in the Vietnam War from 1969 - 1970 where he flew surveillance and reconnaissance flights in his beloved OV-1 Mohawk. Upon returning home and leaving active duty military service, he utilized his GI bill to earn both a Bachelor of Science in History/Science and a Master of Education from Troy University. He found his professional niche as a middle school science teacher first at Goodwyn Junior High School, where he taught for 25 years, and later at Macon East Montgomery Academy, where he taught for 12 years, teaching thousands of students over nearly four decades. Concurrent with his career in education, he was an active member of the Alabama National Guard from 1972 - 1995, serving as a helicopter pilot before officially retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel with 32 years of total military service.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ginger, whom he fell in love with at first sight despite a disastrous blind date. He is also survived by his two daughters, Kristin (Paul) and Caroline; grandson, Navy; granddaughter, Thisbe; brother-in-law, Jamie; niece, Leslie; nephew, Josh; as well as numerous relatives from his large extended family. He is also miraculously survived by his nearly 16 year old chiweenie, Raisin, whom he particularly cherished.

A lover of pens, firearms, steak dinners, and patriotism, Freddie lived his life loud and full of laughter, war stories, 50s/60s oldies music, long roadtrips, and, his forever favorite, ice cream. In his later years, he discovered a new love of gardening where he grew gardens so prolific it earned him the nickname Farmer Fred. He will be remembered for his steadfast love of his family, his unwavering devotion to his country, his uncanny memory for history, his sarcastic sense of humor, and his empathetic heart. They simply don’t make them like Freddie Ward anymore.

Visitation with the family will be at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home and Cemetery, Montgomery, AL on Friday, June 7, 2024 at 12 pm, followed immediately by a graveside military service at 2 pm.