North Powder, Oregon
Ralph Cole Ward, 80, of North Powder, died July 17, 2002, at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Douglas and Kathryn Ward, of North Powder.
His graveside memorial service was this morning at 11 o’clock at the Cove Cemetery. Disposition was by cremation.
Mr. Ward was born April 1, 1922, at Baker City to Glenn H. and Hattie Cole Ward. He spent his early life in the upper Burnt River Valley, graduating from Hereford High School in 1940. He attended Eastern Oregon College in La Grande before entering the U.S. Navy in 1943. While in La Grande, he entered pilot training and became a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol.
Mr. Ward was a radarman 2nd class in the Asiatic Theater, where he served aboard the USS Ponaganset and USS Candid until 1945.
Following his service he graduated from Kinman Business College in Spokane, Wash. He married Muriel Houle in 1944. They had three sons and were later divorced. In 1961, he married Betty Warrick Burger. She preceded him in death in 1999.
Mr. Ward was an accountant-comptroller for Boise Cascade at several locations, and was part owner of Graystone Corp. in Seattle. While in Seattle he was voted “Boss of the Year” by the Public Building Exchange Club.
In his later working years he was an administrative assistant from 1970-75 at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Pendleton, and for nearly 20 years he was the comptroller for Warm Springs Forest Products in Madras.
Mr. Ward served in many organizations. He was a past post commander of the VFW and was a current member. He served as president of the Kiwanis. He enjoyed fishing, especially on the Metolius River, and he enjoyed the company of his pets.
He was preceded in death by his infant son; his grandparents, Charles and Fannie Boyer Cole of Hereford, and O.D. Porter and Elida Parsons Ward of Cleveland, Ohio; his parents, Glenn and Hattie Ward; his sister, June LaVelle; and his brother, Raymond G. Ward.
Mr. Ward is survived by his son, Russell; his son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Katie Ward of North Powder; his sister, Ardis Waters of Baker City; and his sister and brother-in-law, Glenda and John Schaer of Corvallis.
Contributions in Mr. Ward’s memory may be made to the Pathway Hospice or Bethphage House in care of Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, July 26, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor