1918
Ralph
2009
Ralph Wards
April 10, 1918 — April 10, 2009
Ralph Aaron Wards, 91, of Overland Park, KS passed away on Friday, April 10, 2009 at the Kansas City Hospice House. Visitation will be 6-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 15th at D.W. Newcomer’s Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 16th at First Baptist Church, 8200 W. 96th Street, Overland Park, KS. Graveside services will be 2:30 P.M. on Thursday, April 16th at Woodlawn Cemetery, Pomona, KS. The family suggests memorial contributions to Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.
Ralph was born in Quenemo, KS on July 12, 1917 to Aaron Edmond Wards and Edna May (Ashcraft) Wards. He was raised on a farm until entering the Army on February 24, 1941. Ralph served in WWII as a Platoon Sergeant with the 103rd Infantry Division and was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star on September 14, 1945. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 34. After leaving the service, Ralph was a farmer until March 1, 1955 when he moved to Overland Park. He was a Supervisor for Johnson County Waste Water for 33 years until his retirement. Ralph was married to Thelma Louise Jones on May 21, 1949 in Bentonville, AR. They were happily married for almost 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, one grandson, one granddaughter, and one step grandson. Ralph is survived by his wife, Thelma Louise; two sons, Ray A. (Jan) Wards, Fowler, CO and Don E. (Leah) Wards, Olathe, KS; one daughter, Doris M. Wards, Pleasanton, KS; six grandchildren, four step grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren. Ralph was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, who lived life to the fullest until his last days. He will be missed by all his family, lifelong friends and neighbors.
Ralph was born in Quenemo, KS on July 12, 1917 to Aaron Edmond Wards and Edna May (Ashcraft) Wards. He was raised on a farm until entering the Army on February 24, 1941. Ralph served in WWII as a Platoon Sergeant with the 103rd Infantry Division and was honorably discharged with a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star on September 14, 1945. He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 34. After leaving the service, Ralph was a farmer until March 1, 1955 when he moved to Overland Park. He was a Supervisor for Johnson County Waste Water for 33 years until his retirement. Ralph was married to Thelma Louise Jones on May 21, 1949 in Bentonville, AR. They were happily married for almost 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, two sisters, one grandson, one granddaughter, and one step grandson. Ralph is survived by his wife, Thelma Louise; two sons, Ray A. (Jan) Wards, Fowler, CO and Don E. (Leah) Wards, Olathe, KS; one daughter, Doris M. Wards, Pleasanton, KS; six grandchildren, four step grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren and eight step great grandchildren. Ralph was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, who lived life to the fullest until his last days. He will be missed by all his family, lifelong friends and neighbors.
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