James Joseph Ward

November 28, 1956 to April 3, 2024

James Joseph Ward (Jim), age 67, peacefully passed on Wednesday, April 3, 2024 at home in Freeport, Illinois where he resided with his sister Jane L Ward.

Jim was born in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois on November 28, 1956, being a son of James Leroy (January 2, 1930) and Jean Margaret (Arndt) Ward (April 7, 1930).  James Leroy and Jean Margaret were married on May 21, 1949.  To the union of James Leroy and Jean Margaret came eight little souls, three of which grew to adulthood – Jane Lee Ward (April 1, 1950), Jerome Michael Ward (January 4, 1954) and James Joseph Ward (November 28, 1956).  The children Joyce Ann Ward (May 19, 1951) and Matthew James Ward (June 27, 1962) both passed at birth.

Jim grew up in Cicero, IL, attending Goodwin Grade School and Morton East High School graduating in 1974.  With his family he was a member of Holy Mount Catholic Church.

Jim inherited his father's beautiful "Irish Tenor" voice which he debuted singing with his father at his 8th grade commencement, the song My Way. This song became the emblem of how he lived his life and how he passed.  It was his lifelong cherished song and memories of his musically gifted parents.

Through high school Jim was a 4 yr Letterman, wrestling all 4 yrs on the Varsity Wrestling team.  Jim was also on the Outdoor Track team and sang in the Mixed Choir.  Jim continued to duet with his Dad for several high school stage shows and events.  Jim also began his lifelong gift of playing the drums.

In 1971, at age 14, Jim along with his cousin Jeff Ward, became a certified Scuba diver through both the NASDS and PADI Scuba organizations.  Thru high school and beyond both Jim and Jeff were avid motorcycle riders.  As Sophomores they raced Amateur Motocross and Jim was an active member of the Chicago Chapter of the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle Club.  In 1986 Jim crewed on the 82 ft vessel the "Captivator" with his cousins Jeff and Paul.

Jim graduated with honors from Denver Automotive College in 1975 specializing in diesel mechanics.  He became a Journeyman member of Machinists Union Local 701 and maintained the railyard cranes at the Burlington switching yards in Cicero, IL.

In 1987 Jim and his parents moved to the home the family built on Washington Island, WI.  As an Island resident Jim continued to work, sing, was an active member of the Lions Club and played drums in the rock band "Mel Corvette and the Stingrays".

In 2004 Jim and his parents moved to Ft Wayne, IN.  While there, Jim lost his father in 2005 and his brother in 2006.  Jim, with Mom Jean and sister Jane moved to Freeport, IL in 2007 where Mom Jean passed in 2020.  Jim was a member of the Eagles Club and Freeport Moose Lodge 162 and the Moose Legion.

Jim is survived by his sister Jane of Freeport, IL.  Also by the children of his brother Jerome Michael and their families – Lisa Ward of Angola, IN, Chad Ward of Clarksville, TN, Eric Ward of Waxhaw, NC and Jason Ward of Clarksville, TN.  Also surviving is Jim's Aunt Lucille (Arndt) Umstead of Jacksonville, FL.  Jim's life was also blessed by a very large, close and loving family of Aunts/Uncles and Cousins who upheld and filled his life in so many ways.  Jim was also a man who was blessed with many life long, very loved Friends.

By Jim's request, in lieu of flowers he would ask that a donation be made to any of the charities he faithfully supported – St Jude's for Children, Shriner's Hospital for Children, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Wounded Warriors and Tunnel to Towers.  Condolences can be left for the family at www.walkermortuary.com.