Ray A. Ward, 88, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, died Friday, March 11, 2022, at his residence.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Tuesday, March 15, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Fitzgerald, Georgia, with the Rev. Steve Hand officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 2 PM at Paulk Funeral Home in Fitzgerald.
Mr. Ward was born October 31, 1933, in Plant City, Florida, to the late Wade Hampton & Lois Emma Anderson Ward. He was a graduate of Plant City High School. Mr. Ward served his country honorably in the United States Marine Corps as an airplane mechanic during the Korean War. He had a long career with the railroad beginning as a fireman for Atlantic Coast Line and later becoming an engineer. Following the merger of ACL with Seaboard Coast Line, he was promoted to road foreman of engines. He retired from CSX with 30 years of service in the industry. After retirement, Mr. Ward worked for WBHB and served as a guide on fishing tours in Steinhatchee, Florida on his boat, Sherla J. He was a member of American Legion Post 99, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
He is survived by his three daughters: Linda Kay Ward of Fitzgerald, Brenda Rae Ward Louthan & Mike of Fitzgerald, and Ann Marie Ward & Layne Friedman; seven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and his companion and caregiver, Vivian Nichols of Fitzgerald. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Sherla Jean McNeal Ward.