James D. Ward

James D. Ward May 5, 1930 - November 21, 2010 James D. "Jim" Ward of Waco died Sunday, November 21, 2010. Religious services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 24, at First United Methodist Church of Waco with the Rev. Stephen Ramsdell officiating. Masonic burial will follow at Moore Memorial Gardens in Arlington, TX. Visitation will be 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 23, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. James was born May 5, 1930, in Corsicana, Texas, to Edgar Lee and Viola Lorene Ward. He graduated from Corsicana High School, attended Tyler Commercial College and Southern Methodist University. He served in the Texas State Guard, Texas National Guard and the U. S. Air Force. While based in England with the Air Force, he met and married his wife, Joan Self Ward of London, November 29, 1952, in Biloxi, Mississippi. Jim worked at LTV, now Lockheed Martin, for 31 ½ years, retiring in 1980, as an Associate Research Scientist. During that time he also worked with the Martin Company, Denver, Colorado, as a Lead Instrumentation Technician in developing the Titan II ICBM. Upon leaving LTV, Jim was the General Secretary of the Fort Worth Scottish Rite until his election as Grand Secretary of the Masonic Grand Lodge, where he served 15 years, retiring in December, 2003. Jim was very active in Freemasonry and served in many leadership positions in the Masonic Lodge, York Rite and Scottish Rite. He was elected to many governing boards and was very proud of his service as: President, Conference of Grand Secretaries of North America; President, Texas Masonic Retirement Center; Secretary/Treasurer, Masonic Grand Lodge Library & Museum of Texas; Director, Scottish Rite Dormitory for Girls; Vice President, Scottish Rite Foundation of Texas; President, Fort Worth Scottish Rite Foundation; Chairman, Fort Worth Scottish Rite; Director and Chairman of Research, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Edgar Lee Ward, Jr.; George R. "Buddy" Ward; and Bobby Earl Ward. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan; daughter, Beverly Erickson and husband, LeRoy; son, James Lee Ward; four grandchildren, Michael, John, Stephanie and Christopher Erickson; and stepsister, Mary Beamon. Pallbearers are Past Masters of Arlington Lodge No. 438, AF&AM, Arlington. Memorials may be made to the Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, or to a favorite charity. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey