Clyde Harry Ware

Clyde Harry Ware, age 90, died on January 16, 2012 in Kingwood, Texas. Mr. Ware was born on May 7, 1921 in East Cleveland, Ohio; the son of the late Clyde Ware and Lucy Garforth Ware. He graduated from Rocky River High School, Ohio in 1939 and later, attended Western Reserve University (Cleveland College), now Case Western Reserve University and Northwestern University for business courses. Mr. Ware started his career as an office boy for the Nickel Plate Road, a railroad company based in Cleveland, Ohio, and rose through the ranks, becoming the secretary to several presidents and executives of the Nickel Plate. He served as an officer of the Traffic Club of Cleveland in the 1960s. In 1964, he became a marketing director when the Nickel Plate merged with the Norfolk and Western Railway (now the Norfolk Southern Railway). He retired in 1981, after 42 years of service. During his tenure, he pioneered the concept of “piggybacking” (or intermodal freight transport) in the railroad industry.

Mr. Ware served as a Master Sergeant in the 69th Infantry Division, U. S. Army in WWII from 1943 to 1945. He had a life-long love of baseball, playing in a semi-pro team in Cleveland, Ohio, which toured surrounding areas. Mr. Ware was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Indians and the Browns. For over 30 years, he coached Little League teams in Roanoke, VA. His life-long love, work, and dedication to God were expressed through his strong belief in service to others. He was a member of the Methodist church, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, serving on various committees, most recently on the Missions Committee at Strawbridge United Methodist Church in Kingwood, TX. His volunteer work included Roanoke Area Ministries, Roanoke United Methodist Home and Humble Area Assistance Ministries. Mr. Ware’s interests were wide-ranging, from bird watching to reading, and as an oil and watercolor artist. He was a devoted family man, who loved to share his appreciation of nature and history with his wife, children and grandchildren. Traveling was an important part of the family experience, which always included historic sites and a history lesson. After retirement, he and his wife continued to travel throughout the world.

Mr. Ware is survived by his beloved wife, Nila of 64 years; four children, Claudia Lee (Tom) of Jonesborough, TN, Donna Luckenbach (Al) of Annapolis, MD, Gail Ellis (Richard) of Ludlow, England, and Douglas Ware (Shelly) of Kingwood, TX, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Karl E. Ware of Rocky River, OH and several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by one brother, Ronald W. Ware and one grandson, Adam Mann.

Memorial Services will be held on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Strawbridge United Methodist Church, 5629 Kingwood Dr., Kingwood, TX 77345, 281-360-4500. A reception will follow. Another service will be held in Roanoke, VA on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at Windson Hill United Methodist Church, 3591 Windsor Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018, 540-774-4730. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to HAAM (Humble Area Assistance Ministries) 1302 1st Street, Humble, TX 77338, 281-446-3663, www.haamministries.org; Strawbridge United Methodist Church, 5629 Kingwood Dr., Kingwood TX 77345, 281-360-4500, www.strawbridge.umc.org; Windsor Hill United Methodist Church, 3591 Windsor Rd., Roanoke, VA 24018, 540-774-4730, www.windorhillsumc.org.