Claude “Dad” Ward “was drafted into the U.S. military, which led to a 27-year Air Force career where he served in WWII, the Korean War and Viet Nam. He rose to the position of Lt. Colonel.
He earned the nickname “Dad” for being the problem-solving go-to guy, even for those older than he. After the Air Force, he began a second career in heating and air conditioning, primarily as General Manager of Peachtree Trane. During this time, his dream of owning land was realized as he quietly accumulated over 100 acres of farm land in Hartwell, GA, dubbed “Far Away Farm”.” (1)
Source (1): https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/atlanta/name/claude-ward-obituary?id=13009941
Claude A. Ward, Jr., LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on June 2, 2008.
Claude A. “Dad” Ward, Jr., of Atlanta, died Monday, June 2, 2008 on the eve of his 84th birthday, from auto-immune disease complications. He was born in Ramona, OK in 1924 and raised by a mentoring grandmother who, in his words, was “strict, fair, caring, and a hard-working disciplinarian that taught him how to believe in himself and the strength of inner conviction.”
He graduated from Elk City High School in 1942 and was drafted into the U.S. military, which led to a 27-year Air Force career where he served in WWII, the Korean War and Viet Nam. He rose to the position of Lt. Colonel jet fighter pilot and earned a degree in Psychology and Military Science from the University of Omaha.
He earned the nickname “Dad” for being the problem-solving go-to guy, even for those older than he. After the Air Force, he began a second career in heating and air conditioning, primarily as General Manager of Peachtree Trane. During this time, his dream of owning land was realized as he quietly accumulated over 100 acres of farm land in Hartwell, GA, dubbed “Far Away Farm”.
Dad Ward shared his life with Betty, his wife of 63 years. He is also survived by a son Steven; daughter, Claudia Jernigan, both of Atlanta; two granddaughters; three great-granddaughters; and a sister, Ruth Ward Batman of Stillwater, OK.
He chose to be cremated. A Service of Remembrance was held on Saturday, June 14, at Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel.
Dad so respected the mission work of his close friend, Stan O’Bannon the family is asking that donations be made “in memory of ‘Dad’ Ward” to: Whispering Pines Mennonite Church Mission Fund, 7085 Highway 20, Honea Path, SC 29654. Please share any special memories, stories or thoughts with the family by sending them to: RememberingDadWard@comcast.net.
