James “Jim” Ward passed peacefully from this life on Jan. 5, 2020. Services have been entrusted to the care of Advantage Funeral and Cremation and a service celebrating his life will be held on Thursday, Jan. 9th at 10am at Southern Hills Baptist Church with Interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens. Public visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4-8pm at the funeral home at 7720 S. Penn in OKC.
Jim was born on Dec. 31, 1922 in Idabel, OK to Harris and Rena Ward. He graduated from Gray High School (now known as Idabel) and attended Oklahoma City University. He entered the Army in 1943 and served as a Staff Sergeant stationed in Europe before his honorable discharge in 1946. Jim worked at Tinker Air Force Base from 1949-1979 in the Management (Accessories Division) and in the Directorate of Maintenance Division as a Program Analyst. After retirement, he worked as a realtor for Dub Stone for several years. He was a member of Southern Hills Baptist Church since 1964 and was a door greeter for 52 years.
Jim will be remembered as a man who put God First and was always willing to do anything to help his family. He loved OU football, gardening, attending services at Southern Hills and spending time with his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; wife Florence Ward; sister Pauline Galston; and granddaughter Erika Ann Ragsdale. He is survived by his daughter Jana Flaniken and husband Kenny of MWC, OK; Grandchildren: Stephanie Riddle and husband Tyler of Tuttle, OK and Matt Ragsdale and wife Tiana of OKC, OK; Great Granddaughters Avery and Addison Riddle and Hayden Ragsdale; great nephew William Wright; longtime special friend Fran Stephens.
