John A Ward
July 8th, 1920 to February 10th, 2016
John “Jack” Arthur Ward, DDS, long time resident of Port Huron, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 10, 2016.
Born on July 8, 1920 to Arthur and Louise Bell Ward in Detroit, Jack had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller, which helped him through his many adventures in life. He graduated from Cooley High School and joined the Naval Reserve while also studying in a pre-dental program at University of Detroit. Finally he was called up to active duty in 1941. He became Pharmacist Mate First Class and later was part of the U.S. effort to recapture Guam from the Japanese. He stayed there until the end of World War II helping the people of Guam with various health issues.
Before he was sent overseas, he had met a lively young woman from Rhode Island, Marjorie Dunn and they were married on December 19, 1942. He and Marjorie were married for 62 years and had eight children. She preceded him in death in 2004.
After the war, Jack went to the University of Detroit Dental School and graduated in 1950. He then moved with his family to Port Huron where he practiced general dentistry until he retired in 2004. Jack was involved in many aspects of Port Huron life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years as well as on the Board of Mercy Hospital. As his two daughters and six sons grew older, all six boys played hockey, so he helped Port Huron start its own minor hockey program eventually becoming president of Port Huron Minor Hockey Association. He was on the Board of McMorran Authority for 27 years. During that time he helped bring the Silver Stick Tournament to Port Huron McMorran. Jack loved sailing and was a member of both the Sarnia and Port Huron Yacht Clubs. He served on the Board of the Sarnia Yacht Club. He and his entire family were once featured on their sailboat in the Port Huron Times Herald. Over the years Jack owned several boats, both sail and motor boats. In his eighties, Jack built a beautiful wooden row boat in between patients at his Washington Ave practice.
Both Jack and his wife Marjorie loved to dance. They belonged to several local dance clubs. In addition, Jack acquired a large record collection including Big Band, jazz, folk, Broadway musicals and humor. One of Jack’s other passions was photography. He owned a number of cameras and delighted in his home movies. He and his family once made a short movie “The Search for Gold in Hidden Valley”. Jack and his large family also hosted some exchange students from Africa who attended the Junior College in Port Huron.
In his spare time he loved reading books about World War II, the Civil War, sailing and many other subjects. He also loved telling stories about growing up partly in Canada and in Detroit plus of his time in the service. In 2004, he was able to return to Guam for the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Liberation of Guam.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, his son, Paul Matthew Ward and his daughter, Catherine Ward Bortner.
He is survived by survived by daughter, Margaret Ward Kircher and her husband, Bob and children, Demian Kircher and wife, Dana (Katie, Drew) and Alison Roberts and husband, Clint (Cyrus); John Arthur Ward Jr. and wife, Mary and children, Elizabeth, Katie and husband Ryan (Brickell and Carver) and John Paul; Christopher Joseph Ward and wife Cheryl and children Nick and wife Stephanie, Olivia, Matt, and Lee and wife Alexandra (Sophia, Jackson and Christopher); Thomas Andrew Ward and Karyn Nixon, children, Shane (Whitney and Josh), Neeley and husband Cole (Harper on the way); Michael Dunn Ward and wife Angie, children Danny and Emilia; James Patrick Ward and wife Beth and children, Tyson, Brian and wife Chelsea, Brooke and Kara; his son-in-law, Rolf Bortner (husband of Catherine) and their son Robert; also his sister, Jane Kelman of Naples, Florida and her three children Peter and Richard Allen and Ward Kelman.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday February 14, 2016 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and from 10-11 a.m. Monday in the church.
Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2016 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Reverend Zbigniew Zomerfeld will officiate.
Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of The Manor for their compassionate caretaking of their dad.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Port Huron Minor Hockey or the charity of your choice.
Born on July 8, 1920 to Arthur and Louise Bell Ward in Detroit, Jack had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller, which helped him through his many adventures in life. He graduated from Cooley High School and joined the Naval Reserve while also studying in a pre-dental program at University of Detroit. Finally he was called up to active duty in 1941. He became Pharmacist Mate First Class and later was part of the U.S. effort to recapture Guam from the Japanese. He stayed there until the end of World War II helping the people of Guam with various health issues.
Before he was sent overseas, he had met a lively young woman from Rhode Island, Marjorie Dunn and they were married on December 19, 1942. He and Marjorie were married for 62 years and had eight children. She preceded him in death in 2004.
After the war, Jack went to the University of Detroit Dental School and graduated in 1950. He then moved with his family to Port Huron where he practiced general dentistry until he retired in 2004. Jack was involved in many aspects of Port Huron life. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years as well as on the Board of Mercy Hospital. As his two daughters and six sons grew older, all six boys played hockey, so he helped Port Huron start its own minor hockey program eventually becoming president of Port Huron Minor Hockey Association. He was on the Board of McMorran Authority for 27 years. During that time he helped bring the Silver Stick Tournament to Port Huron McMorran. Jack loved sailing and was a member of both the Sarnia and Port Huron Yacht Clubs. He served on the Board of the Sarnia Yacht Club. He and his entire family were once featured on their sailboat in the Port Huron Times Herald. Over the years Jack owned several boats, both sail and motor boats. In his eighties, Jack built a beautiful wooden row boat in between patients at his Washington Ave practice.
Both Jack and his wife Marjorie loved to dance. They belonged to several local dance clubs. In addition, Jack acquired a large record collection including Big Band, jazz, folk, Broadway musicals and humor. One of Jack’s other passions was photography. He owned a number of cameras and delighted in his home movies. He and his family once made a short movie “The Search for Gold in Hidden Valley”. Jack and his large family also hosted some exchange students from Africa who attended the Junior College in Port Huron.
In his spare time he loved reading books about World War II, the Civil War, sailing and many other subjects. He also loved telling stories about growing up partly in Canada and in Detroit plus of his time in the service. In 2004, he was able to return to Guam for the 60th Anniversary of the U.S. Liberation of Guam.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie, his son, Paul Matthew Ward and his daughter, Catherine Ward Bortner.
He is survived by survived by daughter, Margaret Ward Kircher and her husband, Bob and children, Demian Kircher and wife, Dana (Katie, Drew) and Alison Roberts and husband, Clint (Cyrus); John Arthur Ward Jr. and wife, Mary and children, Elizabeth, Katie and husband Ryan (Brickell and Carver) and John Paul; Christopher Joseph Ward and wife Cheryl and children Nick and wife Stephanie, Olivia, Matt, and Lee and wife Alexandra (Sophia, Jackson and Christopher); Thomas Andrew Ward and Karyn Nixon, children, Shane (Whitney and Josh), Neeley and husband Cole (Harper on the way); Michael Dunn Ward and wife Angie, children Danny and Emilia; James Patrick Ward and wife Beth and children, Tyson, Brian and wife Chelsea, Brooke and Kara; his son-in-law, Rolf Bortner (husband of Catherine) and their son Robert; also his sister, Jane Kelman of Naples, Florida and her three children Peter and Richard Allen and Ward Kelman.
Visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday February 14, 2016 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home and from 10-11 a.m. Monday in the church.
Mass of Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 15, 2016 in St. Mary Catholic Church. Reverend Zbigniew Zomerfeld will officiate.
Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff of The Manor for their compassionate caretaking of their dad.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Port Huron Minor Hockey or the charity of your choice.
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