Harry Ward Jr.

Harry Glen Ward Jr., age 86, entered the gates of heaven, February 16, 2022, surrounded by the love of his family both near and far. He succumbed to the ravages of Lewy-Body Dementia. Harry was born November 19, 1935, in Bonne Terre, MO to Harry and Scbeulah Ward.

Harry grew up in his small hometown of Desloge with a large extended family learning how to fish, hunt, playing sports, raising dogs, and be a friend to all especially his brother, Bob. He graduated from Desloge High School. He attended the University of Missouri not spending as much time on his studies as he should. His Dad, who was paying the way, gently convinced him to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Once a Marine always a Marine. Semper Fi, OoRah!

After his Honorable Discharge as a corporal, he went to Murray State University and graduated with his BS in Education. Harry then decided to teach in Michigan as the pay was better and he had a free stay at his cousin’s house. That is where his eye saw a beauty, Patricia, in her white bathing suit in an adjoining yard. After dating briefly, they married in her parent’s backyard. He not only fell in love with Pat but also with her two-year old beautiful daughter, Debra. He adopted Debra whom he adored. Harry and Pat went on to have three more children, Harry III (Skip), Susan, and Elizabeth. He always said to the kids, “I got to pick her, but I was stuck with the rest of you.” However, this was in jest as his love was always unconditional . Harry and Pat enjoyed 58 years of marriage. They spent their retirement years RVing full-time, making new friends, and spending time with their family.

Harry loved teaching. He taught and coached at Holly High School in Holly, MI and Riverview High School in Riverview, MI. He then went to University of Michigan to obtain his Master of Arts. Finally, coming to Battle Creek to teach at what would become his beloved, Battle Creek Central and Calhoun Area Tech Center. At Central, he taught marketing, business, DECA, ran the concessions stand, and was a co-op placement coordinator. He loved the students and the students loved Mr. Ward.

Harry had many hobbies over the years. These include loving GOD, camping, hunting, fishing, reading Louis L’Amour, W.E.B. Griffin, & Tom Clancy, joking, drinking beer, cooking (best known for Uncle Bud’s farter starters), and taking care of his family. To his family it seemed like Harry knew everybody. That is because Harry never met a stranger, and he could talk anyone’s ear off.

Sadly, preceding him in death are his daughter, Debbie, parents, his brother, Bob, and his in-laws.

Left to treasure his memory are his wife, Pat, son, Skip of Lansing, MI, daughters, Susie (Todd) Robbins of Battle Creek, and Liz (Ken) Dunn of Apple Valley, MN. Grandchildren, Jessie (Brent) Sinclair, Ricky (Karina) Bailey, Samantha (Jon) Timmer, Kelsie (Alec) Waltman, Meghan (Andy) Wilkinson, Shelby (Stewart) Haadsma, Sierra (Austin) Gross, Alma Fischer, Caleb Robbins, Dakota Dunn, and Makenna Dunn. Harry’s delights of his life were his ten great-grandchildren plus one on the way. As well as Harry’s sister-in-law, Joy, nephew, Kevin (Brenda) Ward and Shannon (Dennis) Gerli, many extended family members and dear friends that will miss him.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 21, 2022, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home & Cremation Services.  Funeral service scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Tuesday February 22,2022 at the funeral home, Rev. Chad Parmalee officiating.  Private interment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the A.S.K. (All Species Kinship), Battle Creek, MI or Shriner’s Hospital for Children.  Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org