Dave Ward

(From Derfelt Funeral Home)

David Leroy “Dave” Ward, 74, passed away from this life into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Saturday, December 24, 2022 at his home with his family present.

He was born in Parsons, KS, the third of ten children born to Clyde Clifford Ward and Elsie Marie Hubbard Ward. They preceded him in death.

Dave graduated from St. Paul, KS High School in the class of 1966. He graduated from Pittsburg State Collage in 1970 with a double major in Social Work and Psychology. He was a summer missionary to the Navajo in 1968 working with inner city teens at Teen Nation in Philadelphia, PA.

In 1968 he met Roxie Lee Bond at the Baptist Student Union on PSC campus. They were married November 29, 1969, in Riverton KS. They had three children. He was ordained to the gospel ministry in May 1970. 

Upon graduation, he as a social worker in Ft, Scott, KS. He transferred to the Social Security Administration where he worked until his retirement in October 1998. In his ministry career he served as pastor or on staff of several churches in SE Kansas and SW Missouri. He retired from formal ministry in 1981. He continued to serve as a mentor/encourager for many for the last 24 years. He has been a member of Forest Park Baptist Church for the last 20 years.

Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Tammy L. Ward Blotter and husband, Marty, Diamond, MO; two sons, Daniel J. Ward and wife, Cathy, Ft. Leavenworth, KS and Andrew D. Ward and wife, Kym, Pierce City, MO; ten grandchildren, Justice Ward, Donovan Ward, Craig Blotter, Brynn Blotter, Kasey Ward, Dylan Brown, Jeremiah Blotter, Augie Ward, Micah Blotter and Lydia Hopper; also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.

Funeral Service will be held at Forest Park Baptist Church, 7th and Rangeline, Joplin, MO, Friday, December 30, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Burial will follow in the Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, KS. In Lieu of flowers memorial contributions are suggested to Choices Medical Clinic or Watered Gardens and may be left in care of the Funeral Home.

Funeral services are under the direction of the Derfelt Funeral Home, Baxter Chapel, Baxter Springs, KS.