Gerald Ward

The family of Gerald Ward celebrated his life of 80 years on Monday, February 22, 2021, at First Baptist Church in Ropesville, Texas. He passed away on Friday, February 19, 2021. We invite you to sign his virtual guestbook and download his memorial keepsake folder to your device for printing at www. memorialdesigners.net. We also ask you to consider viewing his Life Tribute, a video of photographs set to his favorite music. On December 27, 1940, Gerald was born to Charlie and Ella Mae Ward in Ropesville, Texas on the Ward Homestead farm. He graduated from Ropes High School in 1959, where he enjoyed playing football and running track making an appearance at the state meet in the sprint relay. (We’ve been told the team stayed up too late the night before and didn’t exactly have their legs the next day!) Gerald followed in his father’s footsteps and began farming in 1960 and continued plowing some of the straightest, cleanest rows in the county for 61 years—without a GPS! Gerald was known for his numerous cars (Sandra says he got a new one each year), motorcycles, riding bareback broncs, deer hunting, and playing dominoes. He met his bride, Nona Genell Cornett, in Brownfield in the VA parking lot while they were each on a double date (not with each other)! They married on February 23, 1963 at the Baptist Church in Union. Gerald served as the greeter passing out the weekly bulletin and “charging” $1 each to increase the coffer for FBC Ropesville for the past 16 years. Never having met a stranger, he was a friend to all and loved a good laugh. Survivors include his wife, Genell Ward; their children, Julee (Rick) Reardon, Jill (Rick) Teran; grandchildren, Lindsey (Brennen) LeFevre, Charlie (Ashleigh) Abram, and Landry Teran; greatgrandchildren, Kolton Abram; and sister, Sandra Ayers. He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Charlene Sims. The family has designated the Ropesville First Baptist Church for memorial contributions donated in Gerald’s memory.