Donald Ward

Donald Edwin Ward, 84, died Feb 7, 2011 of a broken heart. With Valentine’s Day looming large, the grief of his wife’s recent passing simply proved too much. His wife of more than 60 years, June Davis, passed away on Dec 23, 2010...just over six weeks ago. As sad as it is, it is a testament to the love they had for each other and by no means a surprise. Although his passing is sad, June is likely scolding him for making her wait so long. Don is survived by a brother, Richard O. Ward of Allentown, NJ, a sister, Jane Claypool of Port Charlotte, FL, 3 children, Nancy Morgan of Fayetteville, GA, Ron Ward of Topeka, KS and Eric Ward of Annapolis, MD. He also survived by 10 grandchildren, Rodney and Donald Ward and Amanda Ward of Topeka, KS, Todd Morgan of Columbus, GA, Jill, Kyle and Katelynn Morgan of Fayetteville and Jim, Jason and Jaclyn Ward of Annapolis and 15 great grandchildren and surely more to come. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.mckoon.com. He was born in Trenton, New Jersey on July 30, 1926 to the late John and Sadie Ward of Crosswicks, NJ. He graduated in 1945 from Hamilton High School is Hamilton Township, NJ and enlisted in the Army Air Corp, serving in 43rd Air Supply Squadron in Erding, Germany during the post war reconstruction. After his discharge, he attended Rutgers University receiving a certificate in Animal Husbandry. Don worked on the Ward Poultry Farm for about 10 years before taking a job with the Vineland Training School as a farm manager. He left there after 10 years to work as a used car salesman, insurance salesman, fertilizer plant manager and finally ended up working for Ralston Purina as a District Sales Manager. He retired from the checkerboard company, having won numerous awards in sales during his tenure. Don and June were married in the Cadwalader Heights Methodist Church on October 7, 1950 and lived in Crosswicks, NJ until moving to Vineland, NJ in 1957 where they lived until 1986. They moved to Smith Mountain Lake, VA where they spent 19 years enjoying retirement to its fullest. Getting on in years, they moved closer to their daughter, Nancy and moved to Fayetteville, GA and then to Wesley Woods of Newnan-PTC, GA, where he and June have lived for about 3 years. Early on, Don was very active with 4-H. While managing the dairy herd in Vineland of more than 100, he improved the milk production of the head to the 6th best in the state. After they moved to Smith Mountain Lake, Don participated with Ferrum College water quality program, which ultimate lead to him becoming involved with the Smith Mountain Lake Association and served as a Director for 6 years. Words of wisdom gleaned from Don, “if there is something you don’t want to do, don’t do it well. This way they won’t ask you to do it again”. And “good friends are hard to come by. Cherish them for what they are for you are truly fortunate to find just one or two in a life time.” Services will be held at Wesley Woods Newnan-PTC on Friday, Feb 11th at 10:30AM. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Wesley Woods of Newnan-PTC Foundation, 2280 Highway 29 North, Newnan, GA 30265. McKoon Funeral Home 38 Jackson St. Newnan, GA. 30263 770-253-4580.

Donald Ward

July 30, 1926 - February 7, 2011