Donald Leroy Ward, 94, of Quilcene, WA, passed away into the arms of his Lord and Savior surrounded by his loving family.
Don was born and raised in Quilcene on January 6, 1923, to Earl and Florence (McClanahan) Ward the second of five children.
Don married Lorna Johnston in 1945 and they had four children.
After graduating from Quilcene High School in 1940, he worked at Oen’s Garage until WWII broke out in 1941. Due to his asthma and color blindness, he was unable to join the service so he went to work for the U.S. Navy on Indian Island, WA. In 1945he transferred to Mare Island, CA and then to Port Chicago, CA. Shortly after the war was over, he moved his family to Olympia, WA and in 1950, they returned to Quilcene where he worked and spent the rest of his life.
Don was a farmer and logger. He raised beef cattle and a few pigs and chickens. He also had a very large blueberry patch. He like pruning and grafting fruit trees. Don loved music. He was self-employed. His logging included rafting logs all along Hood Canal and in Blyn, WA. The tugboats would tow his rafts to the mills where the logs were made into lumber and plywood.
Don enjoyed his large family and hunting, fishing, clamming, crabbing, shrimping, etc. with them. He was a sports enthusiast and especially like baseball, both playing and watching the game, especially if his grandchildren were involved.
Don was an elected Commissioner for Cemetery District #2 and volunteered in that capacity for 35 years. He was a member of the Quilcene Historical Museum Board and the Cub Scout Board.
Don is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lorna, and his four children. Daughter, Marjorie (mike) Schafer and sons, Daniel (Dana) Ward, Kenneth (Connie) Ward and David Ward (Kelly Smith) all of Quilcene. He has 13 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-granddaughter and several step-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents and oldest sister.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Sunday, July 23rd at 2:00 p.m. in the Quilcene School with a potluck to follow.
Memorials can be made to either Quilcene Bible Church, PO Box 118, Quilcene, WA 98367 or Quilcene Assembly of God Church, PO Box 515, Quilcene, WA 98376.
