Lawrence "Larry" Ward was born

December 12, 1930 to Leonard and

Anna Ward in Cuyahoga County,

Cleveland Ohio. Larry graduated from

East Cleveland high school in 1948. He attended Ohio State in the

fall of that year, majoring in Physical Education. During the

summer of his junior year, he started working for Republic Steel

intending to return to college in the fall. Unexpectedly, the Korean

War broke out. As a result, Larry felt compelled to enlist in the

recently created United States Air Force (USAF), where he was

selected to be a Navigator and as a result, was ranked as an

Officer. Larry flew over 600 successful missions flying on the B-

26 "Widow Maker", the B-47 Stratojet, and 300+ missions on the

B-52 Stratofortress. Retiring as a Major, he and his flight crew,

along with countless military honors, awards, and recognition,

received, the Presidential Unit Citation, originally called the

Distinguished Unit Citation, for extraordinary heroism in action

against an armed enemy.

Larry was not a braggart, nor did he speak much about his career

unless asked. Many honors like these, his family only recently

discovered. He had also been extended the honor of being buried

at Arlington National Cemetery because of his distinctions.

Twice during Larry's life, once at home in Cleveland, Ohio, and

again with a group of young black men in his squadron after

church, Larry had the honor of meeting the

then, Pastor King. Because he was so

impressed by these young black soldiers, Dr.

Martin Luther King made recognition of the

squadron during church services in Atlanta. .

Afterwards he invited them to his chambers.

Both experiences inspired him to commit

himself to a life of community service.

Upon his retirement from the USAF Larry went on to work as the

Director of the Sacramento Christian Center located in Del Paso

Heights. In 1977 he took a job with Pacific Bell working the next 20

years; retiring in 1997. During that time he became a volunteer at

Cordova Meadows Elementary School, reading to kindergartners at

the same school his children, grandchildren, and now his great-grand

daughter currently attends. Throughout the 1990's Larry spent

several years as a Docent at the California State Railroad Museum.

This was a community voluntary time he greatly enjoyed.

For the next 20 years, 1993-2013, Larry worked for Securitas as a

security guard at the Point West bldg. on Arden Way/River Park.

Daily, on his way to work, he rode his bicycle to the light rail,

loaded it on the bus, walked the job for four to eight hours and did

the reverse commute home. Again his love of service fueled his

passion for the job until he could no longer work.

In 1968, Larry joined the gospel group, The Voices of Faith, and

sang with them for the next 30 years touring through Europe,

making two albums, and singing for three presidents along the way.

He faithfully attended choir practice every Saturday night for years

gaining lifelong friendships that he deeply cherished.

The best for last...In 1959, while attending training in Wichita,

Kansas at McConnell Air Force Base, Larry met and married his

wife of 60 years, Kate Ward (nee Gonzaque). They had two

children, Carole Lynne and David (Susan), 5 grandchildren, Capri,

Lauren, Alexandra, Samantha and Christian. One great

granddaughter Lyla Kai, a sister, Jean Walker of Shaker Heights,

Ohio and countless loving nieces and nephews, lifelong neighbors,

friends, church brothers and sisters, and tremendous coworkers.