Jack Ward

Jack Ward, age 87, of Grove City, Ohio, passed away peacefully, at home in Grove City, OH on November 14, 2025.

Jack was born on June 4, 1938, in Chicago, IL to Lucy Genevieve McCarley, who later married Louis Charles Ezzo, making Jack his stepson.

Jack was preceded in death by the love of his life, Sharon June Ward (Blevins), daughter Laura Alberta Speelman (Ward), grandson, Nicholas Ward, granddaughter, Christen Dean (Ward), and great grandson, Wolfgang “Wolfie” Ward.

He is survived by his two sisters, Shary Isaac (Ezzo) and Kathy Day (Ezzo), children Jack Michael (Teresa) Ward, James Lewis Ward, and Todd Alan (Drema) Ward, his grandchildren, Amanda (Drew) Samczuk, Amber (Joe) Rose, Anna Miller, Makayla Speelman, Amy Jenkins, Tonia Ward, Todd Alan (Melissa) Ward, Sharon (Jeremy) Tolliver, Zachary (Savannah) Ward, and Chase Ward as well as 31 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews who will miss him greatly.

Jack was retired U.S. Army, having served over 20 years. He served in both Vietnam and Korea as a Military Police. His last stop before retirement was in Germany for 2 years. Jack retired from the Army on August 31, 1979, as a Sergeant First Class. After retiring from the Army, he began a second career as a carpenter with D.W. Ranney & Sons. He was known as an artist, woodworker and a man of God. He loved to paint, draw and sketch with an emphasis on painting. Jack painted everything from landscapes to portraits. Some of his favorite works were painted on saw blades. Jack was an avid reader, and then sharing excerpts of what he read and quotes. He could read for hours. He enjoyed many genres but favored John Grisham and Tom Clancy novels. After he accepted Christ as his savior on April 18, 1976, the Bible became his most precious book. He read it every day and lived his life according to its word. His home would come to be known as “Fort Hoover”, because of his military background and his family was so large it was like having his own platoon. His backyard would be filled with family whenever he and Sharon hosted family cookouts. He enjoyed building furniture, plaques and other things for his house and for family. One big project was a Venetian gondola that he and his son, James, built over five years, in the backyard. He was ardent about keeping his lawn well manicured. In his younger years, he was a body builder, cross-country runner and sun bather.

Jack was not a cancer survivor but rather, a cancer fighter. He had fought cancer for the last 36 years. Cancer did not take his life but instead, Jack made the conscious decision to stop treatment which kept his passing under his own control. Jack was a warrior. When the doctors gave him months, he took years. He departed when he was ready, on his own terms, not when cancer decided it was time.

We will all miss you, Jack. You were the epitome of strength and character. Your life was an example for us all to follow. You lived every day for our Lord and your family.

We love you and salute you, Sergeant First Class Jack Ward. Over and out.