Gordon Ray Ward

Gordon Ray Ward, age 88, of Alma, died Saturday, April. 27, 2024, at Country Friends Assisted Living in Sumner.

He was born February4, 1936 in St. Louis, MI, the son of Ralph and Geraldine (Whitehead) Ward.  He graduated from St. Louis High School and entered the Army in 1959, serving in Germany as a medic. Upon his discharge from the Army he started working for Dow Chemical in Midland where he worked for 39 years.  He married Martha Jane Derby on January 30, 1976.  He coached girls softball at Alma High School for three years along with Dar Peska.  He was always supportive and involved with his daughter’s extracurricular activities, never missing a game or a tournament.  He enjoyed gardening, playing golf, bowling, shooting pool, and playing softball on Cookie’s Repair traveling softball league in the 1980’s.  He was an active member of the Alma Elks Club, and enjoyed taking his family on vacations.

Gordon is survived by 4 daughters, Tamra Ward of Alma, Jenelle Saavedra (Adan Saavedra) of Ithaca, Kristie Gruesbeck of St. Louis, and Denetta Wilcome of Detroit; and his grandchildren Vincent, Madison, Jayden, Jackson, Bryce,and Isabella.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Geraldine Ward; and the love of his life, his wife Martha Jane Ward.  His family will have their own gathering and celebration of his life.

The family is being served by the Barden Funeral Home of Ithaca. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.bardenfuneralhome.com.