Eddie "Joe" Ward

Eddie was born December 23, 1927, to Malcolm and Cora Ward, at home in Ames Community near Gatesville, TX. He was the youngest of 14 siblings, 7 boys and 7 girls.

Drafted out of high school, in April before graduating in May of 1946, he joined the 11^th Airborne Division of the Army, a Paratrooper, serving in Sendai, Japan as a Buck Sgt, and for 12 months played basketball for the Army.

Eddie worked for Houston Lighting and Power Co. for 6 years. He met and married the love of his life, Martha Pearl Browning in 1950, and together they had two beautiful children, Tommy Ray, and Jo Katherine.

The family moved to Odessa in 1953, where he worked for TXU for 34 years as a General Forman. He retired in 1987.

He was an avid golfer, teeing up whenever he had a chance. Joe loved to sing, and would do so for anyone, anywhere, even at an airport waiting for his flight. He made a CD of some of his favorite songs at age 82, still carrying a perfect pitch! While in his 80’s, he often took his karaoke machine to the nursing home to sing for the residents there.

Eddie loved his church, Highland United Methodist, where he was a staple in the choir singing many solos.

He left this world and entered his Heavenly home at 9:28 AM, Tuesday, October 10, 2023.

Eddie is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Martha, his 13 brothers and sisters and their spouses.

He is survived by his son, Tommy Ray Ward and wife Cindy of Odessa, TX; daughter, Jo Katherine Cox and husband Larry Cox of Columbus, Ohio; 5 grandchildren, Chris (Rachael) Cox, Marcus (Bridget) Cox, Billy Joe Ward, Mary Ward, and Rachel (Joshua) Smedley; 10 great grandchildren and numerous loved nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be held 1:00 PM, Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Odessa, TX with viewing beginning at 12:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate in loving memory of “Joe” Ward to Highland Methodist Church, 1808 N. Dixie, Odessa, TX, 79762

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