IN LOVING MEMORY OF
John "Jack"
Thomas Ward
February 15, 1924 – March 12, 2010
Obituary
Norton resident, John "Jack" T. Ward was born February 15, 1924 in Norton the son of Thomas J. & Margaret (Steele) Ward. He passed away on March 12, 2010 at his home in Norton at the age of 86.
He was baptized in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton. He attended the Norton Schools and graduated in 1942. He then joined the Marines and served in the South Pacific. After his discharge with the rank of Corporal in 1945 he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan. He returned to Norton in 1946 and joined his father in the Wards Home Oil Co.
His business ventures included the Wards Service Station, Jacks Restaurant and Jack Wards Sporting Goods. He was active in the Sporting Goods with his son Dave until 2002.
He was manager of the Norton Red Sox Semi Pro Baseball Team from 1949 to 1954. He officiated high school and college football and basketball games for 15 years. He enjoyed Golf, Playing Cards and watching sports on TV. He was a lifetime booster of the Norton Bluejays.
He was also a lifetime member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton Bridge Club, Norton Chamber of Commerce, the Norton American Legion, Men's Pitch Club, Norton Country Club and Knights of Columbus.
Jack was united in marriage in Norton to Esther Patterson on Sept. 26, 1949 by MSGR Edward Sonder. She survives.
Other survivors include his three sons, Stan of Edmond, Oklahoma, Mark & wife, Katy of Springfield, Missouri, and Dave & wife, Donna of Erie, Colorado; his daughter, Susan of Springfield, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and four sisters, Beth Gebhart of Valley Center, California, Kathleen Hudson of Ellsworth, Kansas, Patsy Lucas of Louisville, Colorado and Dorothy Colip of Green Valley, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Maurice, Robert & Bernard; sisters, Nadyne and Joan; and one grandson, Matthew Thomas.
Each Day he lived to enjoy his family and friends.
A special Thank you to all my bridge players, pitch partners, and small wagerers ~ they helped keep food on the family table.
Cremation was planned. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton with Father Vincent Thu Laing & Rev. Terry Worthington officiating. Inurnment followed in the Norton Cemetery, Norton, with military honors conducted by the Norton American Legion.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Ward Memorial Fund to be designated for local charities.
He was baptized in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton. He attended the Norton Schools and graduated in 1942. He then joined the Marines and served in the South Pacific. After his discharge with the rank of Corporal in 1945 he attended Kansas State University in Manhattan. He returned to Norton in 1946 and joined his father in the Wards Home Oil Co.
His business ventures included the Wards Service Station, Jacks Restaurant and Jack Wards Sporting Goods. He was active in the Sporting Goods with his son Dave until 2002.
He was manager of the Norton Red Sox Semi Pro Baseball Team from 1949 to 1954. He officiated high school and college football and basketball games for 15 years. He enjoyed Golf, Playing Cards and watching sports on TV. He was a lifetime booster of the Norton Bluejays.
He was also a lifetime member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Norton Bridge Club, Norton Chamber of Commerce, the Norton American Legion, Men's Pitch Club, Norton Country Club and Knights of Columbus.
Jack was united in marriage in Norton to Esther Patterson on Sept. 26, 1949 by MSGR Edward Sonder. She survives.
Other survivors include his three sons, Stan of Edmond, Oklahoma, Mark & wife, Katy of Springfield, Missouri, and Dave & wife, Donna of Erie, Colorado; his daughter, Susan of Springfield, Missouri; 11 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and four sisters, Beth Gebhart of Valley Center, California, Kathleen Hudson of Ellsworth, Kansas, Patsy Lucas of Louisville, Colorado and Dorothy Colip of Green Valley, Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Maurice, Robert & Bernard; sisters, Nadyne and Joan; and one grandson, Matthew Thomas.
Each Day he lived to enjoy his family and friends.
A special Thank you to all my bridge players, pitch partners, and small wagerers ~ they helped keep food on the family table.
Cremation was planned. Memorial services were held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010 in the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Norton with Father Vincent Thu Laing & Rev. Terry Worthington officiating. Inurnment followed in the Norton Cemetery, Norton, with military honors conducted by the Norton American Legion.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jack Ward Memorial Fund to be designated for local charities.
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