Most of us take a new day for granted. We expect the dawn and the rising sun. Today though for our Dad there is no rising sun. Our Dad passed away Friday, April 11, 2008 without warning, without any time to say his goodbyes. Today we are saying our goodbyes to him and we are finding it very hard because we had no preparation for his parting. He was preceded in death by both parents Isaac Dewey Ward and Maude Ward Kelly, brother William Dewey Ward (WD), and a grandson Nicholas Addison Barron. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Sarah Lee Ward; Five children and Grandchildren: son Stephen Anthony Ward (wife Linda) and their children Stephen and Michael; daughter Pam Ward Suarez (husband Larry) and their children Whitney and Matthew; son Richard Carlton Ward (wife Haerim) and their child Alex; son Marcus David Ward (wife Sharon) and their children David, James, Eleana, and Sophia; daughter Dona Ward Barron (husband Jerry) and their children Andrew Calrton Kilgore and Savannah Barron. He is also survived by his sister Dot Ward Williams and her husband Fred, and many Nieces and Nephews. Our Dad was a WWII Veteran in the European Theater. He was a Civil Servant for 30 years before he retired. Life gives us no guarantees and for our Dad his time had come. He, like all of us, had his thoughts and his plans. He, like all of us, had people whom he loved. He, like all of us, had his dreams...Today they are shattered dreams just as our hearts too are broken. Dad was laid to rest on April 14, 2008 at Bayview Memorial Park on Scenic Hwy. Dad had a strong faith and would have had no objection to going to his Maker so soon. Although he would of course hated to leave his loved ones. I think though he would have known that God would comfort the broken hearted in the years to come. Certainly Dad will be with them in spirit. Just now is a day for emptiness. We are left to come to terms with our shock and our grief. It will take time but someday we will smile when we remember him. Someday we will recover and life will go on without Dad. It will be a different life, a sadder experience, but it will be enriched by our memories. Those memories of Dad will be of someone who like a comet that lit up our lives for just a short time. We love you Daddy, may you rest in peace.

Pensacola News Journal - 4/20/2008

s/o Maude (Diamond) Ward Kelly