John Daniel Ward stepped into the presence of his Savior on February 15, 2022 after a brief illness. In the final hours of his life, his family was privileged to gather around him and share their love and memories. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Daniel; an infant great-grandson, Judah; his parents, Hanlin and Leva Ward; sisters, Ruth Worrell and Emmalaine Hobbs.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jean Franks Ward as well as his four daughters: Susan Renstrom (Scott) of Lynchburg, VA; Sandra Gossett (Scott) of Huntsville, AL; Sharon DeArmon (Chip) of Lutz, FL; Pam Burn (Frank) of Concord, NC; also his 11 grandchildren – Daniel Renstrom (Danielle), Adam Renstrom (Natalie), Leigh Anna Tucker (Drew), David Gossett (Emily), John Gossett (Melanie), Seth Gossett (Rachel), Kyle DeArmon (Emma), Katie Ford (Jake), Christy Holland (Blake), Alison Garrison (Nathan), Treacy McTier (Ty). Currently, he has 29 great-grandchildren with two on the way. He is also survived by his sister Leanna Webb and brother Don Ward (Eleanor) all of Livingston, AL.
John was born in Bibb County, AL and was a veteran of the Korean War. He graduated with a civil engineering degree from the University of Alabama, and in 2012 was named a Distinguished Engineering Fellow by the University. A lifelong Crimson Tide fan, he rarely missed a football game. In 1982 John, along with his brother Don founded what is now Ward Vessel and Exchanger presently located in Charlotte, NC and Houston, TX. He is well known and respected in the world of pressure vessel and heat exchanger fabrication.
Truly a man of integrity and generosity, John’s worth will be measured only in eternity. It will be measured in the lives of the grandchildren and others whose college education he paid for – “I want to give you something no one can take away: a college education.” It will be measured in the many missions and outreach ministries funded; the churches and educational institutions that received financial help; the medical equipment supplied for folks in need; the people who got a grant and a vote of confidence to start a business; the athletes and teams whose equipment was supplied; and the lives of those he touched with his unconditional love. He exemplified what it means to serve quietly, behind the scenes, with no desire for recognition or notice.
His big family will miss him greatly, but what a life he has lived and legacy he has left behind. When he stepped into Heaven, no doubt he heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your rest.”
Don’t worry, Papa Ward, we’ll all be together again soon. You are so loved by so many.
The family will be in the care of Berryhill Funeral Home in Huntsville, AL. A celebration of his life will be on Friday, February 18 at West Huntsville Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL at 12 PM with visitation at 11 AM. The service will be live-streamed at westhuntsville.com Internment will take place at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park on Saturday, February 19 at 11 AM.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to DeArmon CAST, a creative arts school that ministers to children founded by John Ward’s daughter Sharon DeArmon.
DeArmon CAST, 15402 N. Nebraska Ave., Suite 200, Lutz, FL 33549 or online at www.DeArmonCAST.com/ward
