Garry Ray Ward

Garry grew up on farms. His paternal grandfather was caretaker on Adams Farm, back when it really was a farm, and his maternal grandparents farmed an area around Deep River. Like many southerners of his generation, he grew up helping to top tobacco, watched neighborhood pig slaughters, kept the fires burning in the tobacco barns, and enjoyed squirting milk from cows directly into the mouths of eager cats.

Despite the warm multi-generational family upbringing, he had an adventurous streak that didn’t always go in the right direction. He joined with other neighborhood boys drag racing down country streets that are now major roads, and may well have participated in other hijinks that he preferred not to talk about. In desperation his family decided the U.S. Marine Corps would be better for him than high school, and that was the first major turning point in his life. Garry always said that the Marines straightened him out and helped him become a better man. During his time in the Corps he was sent to jungle warfare school and deployed to Okinawa, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In his deployment to the Mediterranean he took advantage of USO tours, visiting Greece, Pompeii, Spain, learning about other cultures and peoples and discovering a love of learning and of traveling.

It was when he was stationed in Okinawa that Garry began his martial arts journey in earnest, a turning point in his life and his passion until the day he died. Over the years he studied Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Karate. He trained and taught at schools in Greensboro, and in 1987 began training under Grandmaster Seung Gyoo Dong in Richmond, Virginia. He eventually obtained his master’s level with a 6th degree black belt, and when his declining health prevented him from physically working out, Garry continued to study and invest himself in the mental disciplines that come with high levels of martial arts training.

Garry loved cats, North Carolina barbecue, the Carolina Tarheels, and sports, especially women’s basketball and softball. His music centered on Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, the music of the 1960s, and Jimmy Buffett. Over the years he became a devoted son; when first his mother and then his father were in nursing homes, he faithfully visited both almost daily.

Throughout his life Garry worked a number of different jobs, learned to fly a small plane, drove a Coke truck for a brief time, worked as a photographer, was an EMT and volunteer fireman, worked for Eastern Airlines, all while keeping up his training and teaching martial arts. In 1970 he began working for Southern Railway, which became Norfolk Southern, where he worked until he retired in 2004. While working full time and teaching Karate, he also earned his college degree, taking classes first at UNCG and eventually getting his BS from Greensboro College. He advocated for women and taught many women in Karate at a time when others were hesitant to train them. He established Karate clubs at school and taught classes in women’s self-defense.

His job at Norfolk Southern Railroad brought a third turning point in his life, when in 1988 he noticed that one of the newly hired trainees was female. He was intrigued by this woman, Jane, who braved the all-male environment of the railroad. Garry and Jane began a 35-year relationship that culminated in a marriage built upon their friendship, love, and mutual admiration.

Garry learned he had cancer late last year, but faced this battle with courage, determination, and good humor, just like he did everything else. Throughout his final 10 months he continued to study martial arts and enjoy the company of family and friends. He was a proud member of the local Marine League.

Garry was predeceased by his mother Iris Ward and his father Henry Ray Ward. He leaves behind his beloved wife Jane Roland, his sister Myra Ward, his nephew Peter McGuire and wife Kathy and great nephew Tommy. He also leaves behind his sister-in-law Anne Roland and her husband Morris Bennett, his niece Melissa Mason and husband Jim, and nephew Joshua Bennett and wife Gayle, other great nephews and nieces, as well as a host of cousins and dear friends who have surrounded him with love and helped take care of him over the last ten months. As a family, we thank everyone for their support, love, and the care shown Garry as he faced his final battle with courage and dignity.

There will be a celebration of his life in early December. Please contact Jane or Myra for more information.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions in Garry’s name be made to Hinshaw Methodist Church or Greensboro College.

Garry Ray Ward: May his memory be a blessing.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhsedgefield.com for the Ward family.