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James Wesley “Jim” Ward

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Birth	:	12 May 1942 Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington, USA
Death	:	17 Sep 2008 Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington, USA
Burial	:	Mountain View Cemetery, Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate	:	47.5546989, -120.6778030
Description	:	Wenatchee World - Saturday, September 20, 2008 James W. "Jim" Ward, Sr., 66, Founder, Owner and operator of Ward's Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, died Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. He was born in Wenatchee on May 12, 1942, to Lloyd and Doris (Collins) Ward. He grew up in Leavenworth, where he graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1960. In 1961, he married his wife, Wilda Rayfield at Peshastin and later, graduated from Wenatchee Valley College while serving his Funeral Director/Embalmer apprenticeship in Wenatchee. Jim and Wilda moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he attended the California... Read More	Wenatchee World - Saturday, September 20, 2008 James W. "Jim" Ward, Sr., 66, Founder, Owner and operator of Ward's Funeral Chapel in Leavenworth, died Wednesday, September 17, 2008, at Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee. He was born in Wenatchee on May 12, 1942, to Lloyd and Doris (Collins) Ward. He grew up in Leavenworth, where he graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1960. In 1961, he married his wife, Wilda Rayfield at Peshastin and later, graduated from Wenatchee Valley College while serving his Funeral Director/Embalmer apprenticeship in Wenatchee. Jim and Wilda moved to Los Angeles, CA, where he attended the California College of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1964. They returned to Leavenworth, where with his dad, Lloyd, started construction on Ward's Funeral Chapel, which he and Wilda have since operated. He and Jim Gottschalk later owned and operated the Edelweiss Restaurant in Leavenworth for 15 years. Jim started the first ambulance service in Leavenworth, where he served for 15 years as Director. He and Doug Scott organized and instructed many EMT classes in the Valley. He was also instrumental in securing the first 911 system in the Valley, which operated and was answered for many years, out of his home. In 2002, he, Doug and Dan Scott and his grandchildren, erected a field of white crosses to represent each person killed on 9-11, which received national attention. Jim was a former Councilman and Mayor for the City of Leavenworth, at which time he was invited to the White House by President Carter. Jim's involvement in the community organizations was all-encompassing; he was a member and past President of the State Autumn Leaf Festival and in 1997, was selected as Grand Marshal of the parade; past board member of the Cascade Medical Center Foundation; past board member of the Cascade Medical Center; member and past Kanzler of the Royal Bavarians; was selected as Citizen of the Year by the Cascade Medical Center Foundation in 1997; he was a member of the Leavenworth Chamber and was honored by the Chamber in 2007, with the Spirit of Leavenworth Award. That year, he was also honored as the Washington State Funeral Director of the Year, the 14th time the award had been given in the Association's 106 year history. Jim was very patriotic, loving his country and all the past and present military personnel. He organized several support and welcome home rallies for troops. He and Bill Luebke were responsible for bringing the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall to Leavenworth in 1998. Jim was recognized by the chamber for this. He and Tracy Franklin organized a drive for supplies for the wounded military personnel of the Iraq War. Jim was also an Honorary Member of the American Legion Post 64 and received an award for all the years of dedicated service and donations to the veteran's organizations. Jim was a generous and giving person. He loved his family, especially his grandchildren, the community and all the families he served through the funeral chapel. He also enjoyed riding the mountain roads of Eastern Tennessee with his buddy, Blaine Hurst and shopping at Dan's Market, where he would spend more time socializing than shopping. Jim is survived by his wife, Wilda Ward of the family home; daughters and sons-in-law, Lona and Doug Parton of Leavenworth and Denise and Alan Unis of Spokane; one son and daughter-in-law, Jim Ward, Jr. and his wife, Missy of Leavenworth; sisters and brothers-in-law, Leanna and Bruce Yancey and Loy and Steve Willet, all of Leavenworth; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard and Sheila Ward of Silverdale and Dennis and Chris Ward of Belfair; and six grandchildren, Kellen, Evan and Noelle Parton and Juliea, Caroline and Jesse Ward. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Mike. A Funeral Service of Commemoration to Celebrate the Life of James W. "Jim" Ward, Sr. will be held on Wednesday evening, September 24, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cascade High School Gymnasium, with Rev. Roger Hudson officiating. Concluding Service and Interment will be in the Mt. View Cemetery in Leavenworth on Thursday, September 25, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held on Monday, September 22, 2008, from 12:00 Noon to 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday, September 23, 2008, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Ward's Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jim Ward Memorial Fund in care of Ward's Funeral Chapel, 303 Pine Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826. Ward's Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth is in charge of the arrangements.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is James Wesley “Jim” Ward's memorial?
James Wesley “Jim” Ward's memorial is located at: Mountain View Cemetery, Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA.
When did James Wesley “Jim” Ward death?
James Wesley “Jim” Ward death on 17 Sep 2008 in Wenatchee, Chelan County, Washington, USA
Where are the coordinates of the James Wesley “Jim” Ward's memorial?
Latitude: 47.5546989
Longitude: -120.6778030

Family Members:

Parent

Doris Hope Collins Ward

(1923 - 1977)

Siblings

Michael E Ward

(1959 - 1979)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Mountain View Cemetery
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5546989, -120.6778030

2. Leavenworth Cemetery
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5902778, -120.6719444

3. Jack Burpee Gravesite
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5947792, -120.6562080

4. Peshastin Cemetery
Peshastin, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5828018, -120.6074982

5. Leavenworth North Road Cemetery
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6089410, -120.6458040

6. Stutesman Family Cemetery
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6217100, -120.6508400

7. Brisky Treadwell Cemetery
Cashmere, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5149770, -120.4955480

8. Blewett Cemetery
Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4249000, -120.6595000

9. Chiwaukum Cemetery
Leavenworth, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6825000, -120.7347222

10. Cashmere Cemetery
Cashmere, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5186996, -120.4869003

11. Old Missionary Indian Cemetery
Cashmere, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.5166000, -120.4493000

12. Pat King Burial Site
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3846940, -120.6553890

13. Ingalls Creek Cemetery
Peshastin, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.3827780, -120.6533340

14. George W. Parrish Gravesite
Monitor, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4688600, -120.4256400

15. Hillcrest Haven of Rest Cemetery
Plain, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.7832000, -120.6203000

16. Sunnyslope Church of the Brethren Cemetery
Sunnyslope, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4784431, -120.3465576

17. Wenatchee City Cemetery
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4510994, -120.3463974

18. Grace Lutheran Church Memorial Garden
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4233020, -120.3359630

19. Valley View Cemetery
Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4730988, -120.2981033

20. Saint Lukes Episcopal Church Columbarium
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4220400, -120.3177260

21. Home of Peace Mausoleum
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4124985, -120.3248978

22. Entiat Cemetery
Entiat, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.6755981, -120.3043976

23. William E. and LaDean C. Steward Memorial Garden
Wenatchee, Chelan County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4041166, -120.3248520

24. Evergreen Memorial Park
East Wenatchee, Douglas County, USA
Coordinate: 47.4216995, -120.2649994