John Franklin Ward

1933 - 2011

John Franklin Ward, 77, of Pensacola, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011 following a courageous battle with medical conditions.

He was born and raised in Geneva, Alabama and received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees in Geology from The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

He was employed as a Geologist upon graduation with Shell Oil Company for six years and worked with Exxon-Mobil for twenty years. He worked in the Petroleum and Mining Divisions, retiring in 1983.

His hobbies included rock & mineral collecting, scuba diving, gardening and woodworking. He was active in the local Lions Club, the Alabama Alumni Association of Pensacola, a member of First Baptist Church, Pensacola and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. He and his wife, Helen, enjoyed traveling nationally and internationally during their retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Whitfield Ward and Annie (Black) Ward of Geneva, Alabama.

He will be missed by his loving wife of 55 years, Helen (Justice) Ward of Pensacola, three daughters & son in-laws: Deborah (Ward) and Bill Wrasman of Cookeville, TN; Mary Frances (Ward) and John Stebbins of Phoenix, AZ; Carole (Ward) and Steve Mapes of Milton, GA. Three beautiful granddaughters: Haley Elizabeth Mapes, Mary Kathryn Stebbins and Grace Elizabeth Stebbins. Other surviving family members include his brother & sister in-law, George Eldridge Ward and Patsy (Galloway) of Dothan, AL; sister in-law and brother in-law, Sarah Kathryn (Justice) and Steve Vickers of Geneva, AL; three nephews, Jeff Ward of Dothan, Trey Vickers of Geneva and Todd Vickers of Birmingham. One niece, Leisa (Ward) Jones of Dothan.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, May 17, 2011 at First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St., Pensacola. Visitation at 9:00am, Services at 10:00am with burial immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Samaritan Hands or the ROC Building Fund at First Baptist Church.

OAK LAWN FUNERAL HOME is in charge of arrangements.

To sign online condolences please go to oaklawnfunerals.com