James Louis"Red"Ward

A retired HVAC business owner, he died Monday, July 13, 2009, at 2:30 a.m. at his residence in Denham Springs. He was 87 and a native of New Orleans. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division and recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Visiting at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on Wednesday, July 15, from 1:30 p.m. until dismissal at 3:30 p.m. Graveside service at Greenoaks Memorial Park on Wednesday at 4 p.m., conducted by the Rev. Ted Roeling. Survived by his wife, Dorothy D. Ward; daughters Monica Hornauer and husband Darren Hornauer, and Cindy Thomas and life partner Twyla Thomas; son, James Ward Jr. and wife Donna Ward; sister, Mary Prosen; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his mother, Annie Ward Walsh; father, David E. Ward Sr.; two brothers, David E. Ward Jr. and Henry P. Ward; daughter, Sandra J. Ward; and granddaughter, Courtney M. Edwards. Pallbearers will be James Hall, Brian Woodward, James Ward III, Ethan Edwards, Jory LeBlanc and Adam Crowell. Honorary pallbearers are Jonathan Ward, Jake Thomas and Garrett Hornauer. Mr. Ward started the family business, Ward Mechanical Contractors Inc. in 1950. The business is still serving the community 59 years later. Dorothy, Jim Jr., Cindy and Twyla will carry on the business. >