Harry Hobgood Ward

Harry Hobgood Ward, selfless family man who loved and cared for his wife of 50 years especially when she could no longer care for herself, a loving father, a loyal friend and a consummate gentleman died on Nov. 24, 2018 in Nashville. He was 74.

Born in Greenville, SC to James E. Ward Jr. and Margaret Hobgood Ward, Harry spent his childhood in Nashville, TN where he attended the Peabody Demonstration School (now University School of Nashville). While at Peabody, Harry was a standout basketball player, leading the NIL in scoring his junior year. Harry graduated from MTSU. He married Helen Ann Hooper of Cookeville, TN, whom he met on a college trip to Europe, in 1968, and the couple settled in Brentwood, TN just outside of Nashville.

Harry was a life insurance agent and financial planner with John Hancock before starting his own business Ward Financial.

Harry possessed an uncommon competitive spirit. Some of his favorite past times were coaching 22 different basketball and baseball teams, watching SEC football games, jogging neighborhood streets in the Laurelwood subdivision of Brentwood, and “attacking” the recumbent bike at the Maryland Farms YMCA. In particular, Harry had a special place in his heart for Vanderbilt Athletics and was a longtime season ticket holder with his dear friend Tom Lawrence (deceased) of Nashville.

Above all Harry enjoyed coaching, watching and celebrating his sons’ athletic endeavors through their childhood and high school years and travelling with his beloved Helen Ann to the beach and abroad.

Harry is survived by his wife, Helen Ann of Brentwood; two sons Harry H. Ward Jr. (Chip and Samantha) and Andrew Hooper Ward (Andy) both of Nashville. He was preceded in death by his brother James E. Ward III (Mary Lee) of Brunswick, ME.

A memorial service will be held at Westminister Presbyterian Church on West End at 11:00 AM, Friday Dec. 7th. A visitation will be held at Westminster from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM before the service

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.