John Wayne Ward

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. On December 9, 1938, he created John Wayne Ward, who was known by his friends and family as “John Wayne”, “Jay” and “Tata”. John was born in Bessemer, Alabama, and was the oldest of four children. He was given a large responsibility by his parents to protect and be the voice of reason for his siblings. John loved the Lord and was baptized in 1948 at the age of ten. As a teenager he became a member of the Holy Temple Baptist Church and was a member of the Gospel Choir and later was a member of the Helen Robinson Youth Choir. He attended Hyde Park Academy High School in Chicago, Illinois. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1960 and was stationed in Germany. He was Honorably discharged in 1963. He married Rachalle Elizabeth Nelson, affectionately known as “Rae”, on March 20, 1968.

John and Rae shared the same birthday and he was looking forward to celebrating with his wife Rae on December 9. This year will be the hardest because it will be the first time Rae and John will not be celebrating together. Each year he would say to her, “girl you getting up there”, because he was one year younger. John always reminded Rae that she robbed the cradle. Family meant the world to John Ward. To this union John and Rae raised and nurtured two daughters, baby girl Jennifer LaVann Ward known as Jen, and the oldest daughter Dari Yvan Ward-Russell (Ronald) known as Bae-Bae, and his special nephew/son, Harold Davis known as Hal. John worked 42 years for the United States Postal Service and retired in 2000. In 2015, he and Rae moved to Henderson, Nevada after 50 plus years in Chicago.

His favorite hobbies were fishing with his buddies, watching his favorite movies and CNN the news channel. He was the weatherman to everyone. He would call everyone and tell them what the weather was going to be. John was fond of nature and wildlife, especially birds. There would be 20 Finches in the sun room at one time. He got so much enjoyment from them, and not to mention his great companion Hombre, the dog. Another moment that John cherished the most was that he lived long enough to see the nation nominate the first African-American President of the United States Barack Obama. He was a true lover of the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Bears.

He was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Victor.

Those who will cherish his memory along with his wife and children are his surviving aunt and family Matriarch Rosalee Anderson, sister Mary (Billy), brothers Arthur known as “Yogi” (Marilyn), Victor and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, Godfather to many, neighbors, family and friends. Also, to cherish his memory includes his two granddaughters with whom he had an unbreakable bond, and affectionately called John “dada". The youngest granddaughter Chelsea known as Chelsea Rai and his oldest granddaughter Chandler Ra’Jon affectively known as Chan.

Famous phrases of John Ward:

While we are absent one from another

If Jesus had to pray, what about me?

WOO and you know these things