Jack Nelson Ward

Jack Ward, a retired engineer for Bell Helicopter, passed away on March 11, 2022, at age 82. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Perkins Ward, his children Janet, James and Joseph Ward, and his brother Jerry Ward. His survivors include his daughter Rebekah Ward; his daughter-in-law Angelina Arnold Ward, wife of his late son, Joe; his grandchildren Gabrielle Williams, James Ward and Caroline Ward; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Betty and Bobby Pollard; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Jack was born on April 10, 1939, to Joseph A. and Mary Thomas Ward, in Shattuck, Oklahoma. He attended elementary school in Arkansas and Kansas before his family relocated to Alvarado, Texas. After moving to Fort Worth, he attended Rosemont Middle, followed by Tech High School and Arlington State College (now UTA). Jack was an Army veteran, serving in the Phillipines as a cryptanalyst. Following his discharge he returned to north Texas, where he met Barbara Perkins. Their wedding took place on November 23, 1965, in Fort Worth; they were married for almost 55 years, until her death in 2020. They had four children.

Jack was employed by Bell Helicopter for almost forty years, beginning in the Bonding Department and eventually retiring as the Senior Engineer in charge of special projects, primarily working on the V22 Osprey. A state-ranked cornetist in high school, he passed his love of music on to multiple generations of his family and enjoyed music throughout his life. Jack was a Mason for over fifty years and a Past Master of Tabernacle Lodge 1195 in Fort Worth, as well as a former District Deputy Grand Master for District 64C. His many hobbies included cooking, beekeeping, woodworking, stained glass and genealogy.