Earl Gene Ward, 86, former chief of General Dynamics in Fort Worth and longtime resident of Weatherford, passed away Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at his home with his loved ones present. Burial: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 3 to 7 p.m. Monday at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel. Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements. Earl was born Nov. 10, 1929, in Algoa, Ark., to Robert E. Ward and Exie J. McDonald. After the death of his mother due to childbirth complications, he was raised by his grandparents in West Plains, Mo. In his early teens, Earl moved to Lake Worth to live with another aunt and uncle, Arthur and Willie Rodgers. At Lake Worth High School, Earl played baseball, basketball and football; remaining lifelong friends with many coaches and teammates from his school years. In 1994, Earl and several other teammates attended as VIPs at Lake Worth High School's 50th anniversary homecoming game and celebration. After high school, Earl joined the United States Marine Corps and in 1948 went to Camp Pendleton as the starting quarterback for the USMC football team. Earl served in both active and reserve duty with the USMC and received an honorable discharge in 1952 at the rank of sergeant. Earl returned to the Fort Worth area and went to work in 1955 for Convair, which would later become General Dynamics. Earl worked in Material Management at General Dynamics and eventually rose to a chief of procurement for the F-16 program before retiring in 1985. He was active his entire life with outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and golf. He was also an avid fan of Texas Rangers baseball and ESPN. Earl was a member of Lake Worth Baptist Church since high school and re-dedicated his life to Christ in 2008. Survivors: Earl is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Monica Ward of Bedford and Gary Ward of Fort Worth; and grandchildren, Joshua, Samantha and Allyson.
Published in Star-Telegram on Dec. 20, 2015