John Henry Ward III

John Henry Ward III, 75, of Dallas, died Tuesday, October 16, 2012 at Baylor Hospital in Dallas, Texas. Graveside services will be 1:00 pm, Monday October 22, 2012 at the Restland Memorial Park Cemetery in Richardson. The family will receive friends for visitation from 3:00 to 4:00 pm on Sunday at Sparkman Funeral Home, 1029 S. Greenville Avenue, Richardson TX 75081.

John was born on July 20, 1937 in Griffin, Georgia to John Henry Ward, Jr. and Lillie Griffin Ward. He spent his early childhood years in Griffin, Georgia where he graduated from high school. Following graduation, he attended the University of Georgia.

John moved to Texas in 1962. Shortly after his arrival, he met Mary Nelle Holcomb Montgomery and they married on July 2, 1965. John and Mary Nelle had their only son, Mason, in 1967.

First and foremost, John was a wonderful husband and father. Together with Mary Nelle, he supported his family and developed a passion for the interests of his son, Mason. Their journeys led them from Cub Scout to Eagle Scout, Pee Wee to High School Soccer, and a career in the Navy. A patriot and proud father, one of his happiest moments was going to sea on Mason’s nuclear-powered fast attack submarine.

John was gifted at anything to which he put his mind. He served as the Entertainment Editor for the Atlanta Journal, wrote copy for various advertising agencies, and ran his own printing company. He taught his son how to work with his hands and fix anything that was broken.

He was a gentle soul with an easy nature and left every encounter with a friend. John will be truly missed by many.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Nelle Ward, of Dallas; one son, Mason Ward, and his wife, Amber, of Austin and his grandchildren, Elias and Oliver Ward; one brother, William E. Ward, and his wife, Alice, of Atlanta, Georgia; and two Godsons, Larry and Ricky Coates, of Dallas.