Travis Funeral Chapel

Thomas L. Ward, age 76 of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas passed away Monday November 29th at UAMS in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Born in La Plata, Missouri on December 2nd 1933, one of seven children of Harry and Susie Ward. He attended school there and loved growing up in La Plata. He worked for his Father in the CO-OP station. He graduated in 1951 and entered the Air Force in January 1953 and was honorably discharged in February 1973 after serving his country for twenty years. He loved the Air Force and his country and was proud of his service. His duty took him all over the world and he brought that world back to his family. He moved back to La Plata in 1973 and ran Ward’s Corner for 13 years. Then he and Carol moved to California where they remained until retirement when seeking warmer weather and good fishing they moved to Arkansas. He deeply loved his family; he was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather and a devoted husband of 57 years and will be sorely missed.

He was a man of deep spiritual feelings and made his peace with God a few years ago after a serious illness and was ready to go “home” when God called. He loved people and never met a stranger, was interested in everyone and everyone’s story. Thomas loved to tell a joke and knew them all.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Harry, Duane, and Donavon; two sisters, Ermal Louise (Ward) Thompson and Anna Margret (Ward) Meyer.

He is survived by wife Carol of the home, son Raymond Ward of High Point, North Carolina, three daughters Cherie Richmond of Wichita, Kansas, Debbie Ward of Tumbling Shoals, Arkansas, and Mary Beth Ward of Columbia, Missouri; nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren; brother Gaylord Ward of Jefferson City, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service will be held at La Plata Christian Church on December 8th at 11:00 a.m., under the direction of Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri.