A D. Ward

Abner Davis A. D. Ward was born October 6, 1920 in Jennings, Oklahoma. The only child of Orville Ward and Beatrice Hood. A. D. was raised in Jennings and graduated from Jennings High School in 1939.

On June 10, 1930, shortly after he had graduated from high school, A. D. married Vingie Lee Ham. They were married in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

On February 7, 1944, A. D. enlised into the Army Air Force's 385th Bombardment Group. After three months of gunnery school, he was sent to England in December of 1944. There he was assigned as a ball turret gunner on a B-17 Flying Fortress. During World War II, he flew twenty-four bombing missions over Germany, before being hospitalized with ruptured ear drums.

For most of their lives, the Ward's made their home in Jennings. During twenty of those years, they owned and operated the Jennings Hardware and Feed Stores and raised cattle. After selling those businesses, A. D. continued to help his son with various other businesses, until he was no longer able to do so.

A. D. was an avid outdoors man who loved to hunt and fish. He was especially fond of duck hunting. A. D. was health conscious and, until the past few months, he led a very active and healthy life. His life revolved around his family, and he especially loved spending time with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A. D. passed away on Saturday, April 14, 2007 at his home near Jennings, at he age of eighty-six years, six months and eight days. He is suvived by his children, Sandra Patton and Randy Ward of Jennings; four grandchildren, Angela McNeil, Joe Ward, Cherami Thomas amd Jeremy Ward; and six great grandchildren, Dakota Ward, Randi Rochelle Ward, Katlyn McNeill, Makayla McNeill, Saxon Thomas amd Ashton Thomas.

Funeal services will be held at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at the Grace Full Gospel Church in Jennings with Rev. Casey Muse officiating. Burial will follow under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home, at the Jennings Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Larry Patton, Dan Patton, Rick Patton, Dana Ham, Terry Ham and Jerry Brady.