I copied and pasted the obituary below from The Bend Bulletin's website. Here is a link to a similar posting on The Central Oregon Veterans website.
Michael James Ward
Michael James Ward passed away on March 1, 2012, while on a trip to Washington, D.C., for the Disabled American Veterans organization. Mike was a strong supporter of American Veterans and a past Oregon State Commander of the Oregon Disabled American Veterans.
A memorial service will be held at the Bend Elks Lodge, 63120 Boyd Acres Rd., on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m.
Mike was born in Oregon City, Oregon, on January 13, 1945, and soon moved with his family to Eugene. Mike relocated with his mother, sister and brother to Bend in 1952. While attending school in Bend he participated in many sports and excelled in cross-country running, pole vaulting and wrestling. Mike returned to Eugene to finish high school, winning two back-to-back State championships in wrestling.
Mike joined the Air Force in 1964, and traveled with the Air Force wrestling team prior to focusing on a maintenance career. He served tours of duty in Turkey, Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia.
When he returned home on leave, he stayed with his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Bud Keown of Crescent. He always felt at home there with their children, Kevin and Kellie.
He remained in the Air Force until being seriously injured in Korea in 1986. After lengthy rehabilitation Mike returned to Bend, devoting the majority of his time to helping veterans. Mike was instrumental in helping many Veterans receive help from the VA. He was also a major force in organizing the Bend Veterans' Day parade each year.
Mike is survived by his wife, Sun, daughter, Su and husband, Hasani Davenport, and grandchildren, Tai, Asa and Mia, and Clay of Bend, whom he loved very much; daughter, Joan Ward, and son, Joe Ward of Cottage Grove, who were always in his thoughts; sisters, Mary Ann Keown of Bend, Roberta and husband, Dale Curfman of Olympia; Jackie and husband, Pete Peterson of Pendleton; Kathy Inman of Tacoma; brothers and their wives, Steve and Teresa of Lakeview, Charlie and Cathy of Eugene, Rick of Springfield, Tom and Micky of South Carolina; stepmother Muriel Hilliard of Corvallis; nieces, nephews and cousins, all whom he loved, but too numerous to mention.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 1503 NE 4th St. Bend, OR 97701
Niswonger-Reynolds is honored to serve the family. 541-382-2471. Please sign our guest book at Niswonger-Reynolds.com.
Our Oregon State Representative, Gene Whisnant, wrote this about Mike in his March Newsletter:
These two photos were taken a year-and-a-half ago in Gilchrist, when we were all attending my daughter Kristin's fundraiser:
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy ~ Kathy Matthews |
Tribute by Col. David Fairclo, USAF Retired:
At Oregon Gifts of Comfort and Joy, if you miss a day, you miss a lot! All material on this post is copyrighted and not for use without my permission ...Please click here to go to my home page and see what is happening in Mayberry today. |
9 comments:
I'm sorry for your loss Kathy. God bless.
I'm so sorry for your loss, Kathy. It sounds like he did a great deal of good and will be sadly missed. I wish healing for your family.
Sorry to hear about another family loss, Kathy. Wishing you and your family all the best.
Oh, no. I am so sorry to hear of his loss.
Aw Kathy, I am so very sorry. He seems like such a nice person and to go so suddenly makes it all the harder. My deepest sympathies to you and his family.
I am so sorry for your loss. from your writing he was an inncredible man and the world is indeed a dimmer place without him. I'll keep him, his family and his friends in my prayers.
Thank you, Friends ...
Your prayers and support mean so very much. Mike will be very missed.
Kathy
Very sorry for your loss Kathy.
Kathy, I am SO sorry for your loss. Mike looked like such a nice guy, and he died on his way doing a good deed, so I am sure the angels whisked him to heaven in an instant. My heart goes out to you and especially your children, in the loss of their uncle. Please send them my condolences.
Best,
Gloria
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