James F Ward

Dr. James F. “Burr” Ward, age 85 of Rome, GA, passed away Friday, November 7th peacefully at his residence. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12th, at Daniel’s Funeral Home. Funeral services were held at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, November 14th at the First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Brown officiating. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. J.W. Looper, Bill Dupre, Bill Fricks, Paul Fambro, Ed Watson, Dr. Jeff Heath, Dr. Hendrick Cromartie, Gardner Wright, Elwood Hunt, Sam Shapard, Rob Ennis and Millard Vaughn Oakley.

Burr was born September 30th, 1929 to the late Edna Brassell and Arthur Roman Ward, Sr. of Livingston, Tennessee.

He graduated from Livingston Academy in 1947 and from Tennessee Technology University with a B. S. degree in Natural Science in 1951. He received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry in 1954. While in dental school, Burr was President of his class, President of the Xi Si Phi Dental Fraternity and was elected to the National Honorary Dean Odontological Society.

Burr married Ann Traylor of Manchester, Georgia in 1954. Upon receiving his commission as a Naval Dental Officer, Burr was sent to Bainbridge, Maryland and then briefly to El Toro Marine Air Station in California. It was an honor to be chosen to serve in a medical capacity by the Marines. Burr was dispatched to the First Marine Air Wing, Fleet Marine Force Pacific at K-3 Korea and later to Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan.

After fulfilling his military obligation, Dr. Ward began to search for a place to practice dentistry. Dr. Fulton Ray, a Rome Dentist, befriended Burr with kindness and advice. Dr. Ray helped locate a possible office, introduced Burr to Claude Booker, President of First National Bank, and the rest is history. Rome became home.

Burr Ward loved the almost 60 years he lived in Rome and was very proud of all the city had to offer. He and his wife, Ann, joined the First Methodist Church. There he served as Administrative Board Chairman and Associate Lay Leader. He also chaired the Rome Urban Ministries Benefit Auction for a number of years, in addition to serving on various other committees.

Burr was President of the Rome Rotary Club and became a Paul Harris Fellow and a Will Watt Fellow. He was President of several other local organizations, including the Coosa Country Club, the Coosa Valley Tennis Association, Nine O’clock Cotillion and the Darlington Booster’s Club.

Dr. Ward’s dental career spanned over five decades. He had a genuine love for his patients and treated multiple generations of many Rome families. Burr’s wife, Ann, worked with him for nearly half of his career. Ann’s first cousin and faithful friend, Jane Tucker, worked as his Dental Hygienist for four decades. Dr. Ward was generous of his time within his profession. He was the charity dentist of the Star House for over forty years and also provided dental care for the School for the Deaf at Cave Spring for several years. He was President of the Northwest Georgia Dental Association, President of the Floyd County Dental Association, a life member and past delegate to the Georgia Dental Association and the American Dental Association. He was an Honorable Fellow of the American College of Dentists. After the sale of his practice to Dr. Jeff Heath, Burr became head of the Free Dental Clinic in Rome and continued practicing dentistry with Dr. Heath in a thriving office, which helped keep him young and involved with the many patients he cared for over the years.

On the lighter side, Burr was an avid fan of the University of Tennessee and had a broad wardrobe of orange clothing. One of his buddies painted a rocker Tennessee orange with “BURR” in all capitals across the back. During his golfing years, Burr achieved a one handicap and three holes in one. He was a past Champion of the Northwest Georgia Seniors Golfers Association. More than his love of the game of golf, he cherished the relationships made on the course. Many of those go back to 1956, when he first moved to Rome. He also enjoyed volleyball at the YMCA and tennis with his buddies.

Burr is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Ann Traylor Ward; a son James F. Ward, Jr. of Athens, Georgia; a daughter Cynthia and husband David Piper, grandsons Austin and Harrison of Allen, Texas; and a daughter Julia and husband Taylor Hamilton, grandsons Parker and Jack of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Dr. Ward was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dan Ward of Adamsville, TN, sister Malise Beerman of Lakeland, FL, and sister Nita Webb of Nashville, TN. One brother, A.R. Ward, Jr. of Bowie, MD, and many nieces and nephews survive him.

Burr Ward was a kind man who loved his family, friends, patients, profession and life in general. He was thoughtful and generous with his time and resources. All who knew him will miss him and his sweet regard for anyone who crossed his path. He had an admirable trait of treating each and all with the same prized regard.

Daniel’s Funeral Home has charge of arrangements for Burr Ward. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to First United Methodist Church, 202 E. 3rd Avenue, Rome, GA, 30161 or Pass It Forward, P.O. Box 160, Livingston, TN, 38570.