Loyce Jean Ward

Loyce Jean (Johnson) Ward, 84, of Houston, Texas passed away on April 18, 2020. She was born on December 20, 1935 in Iraan, Texas as one of five children to parents, Roy Harrison Johnson, Sr. and Joycye Faye Johnson.

Loyce grew up majorly in Texas, but traveled and lived in other states such as Oregon due to her father’s work and military service. In 1951, they moved to Fort Stockton, Texas where she graduated as the “cutest girl” from Fort Stockton High school. She went on to graduate from Sul Ross State College, and eventually earned the title of County Executive Director of Pecos County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation (ASC). There she was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, various High Quality Performance Awards, and served as the only Texas representative to a task force in D.C. She retired in 1994 after 40 years.

She met James Lester Ward in Crane, Texas in 1949, and they were married in 1954. They had two children and enjoyed 57 years of marriage before James passed away. Together, they were College and Rodeo favorites, and were valuable contributors to family and friends. Family was a priority to them, and their company was much desired for their charm, wit, personalities, and just plain fun.

Loyce enjoyed fishing trips, motorcycling and dirt bike racing, solo flying, barrel racing, calf-roping, gardening, singing, and dancing. She lived much of her retired life on a ranch outside of Fort Stockton raising any stray baby lamb, calf, goat kid, or kittens the cowboys brought her. Loyce and James were loved and admired by many friends and family for their many talents and strong work ethic. They faced many successes and crushing adversities with courage and bravery.

Loyce is preceded in death by her husband, James Lester Ward; son, Del Mack Ward; daughter, Cindy Lea Ward; sister, Sharon Lynn Rees; and parents, Roy Harrison and Joycye Faye Johnson.

She is survived by her granddaughters, Kymberly Mish (Ward) Ledford, and Jessica Kate Maupin; and grandsons, Jay Mack Ward and Joe Scott Maupin, III.

A private Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 1:00 PM. Due to the restrictions of funeral attendees, the service will be live streamed on Facebook on Earthman Bellaire’s Facebook page at 1:00 PM for family and friends unable to attend.

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