Jerry Wendell Ward

Jerry Wendell Ward was an amazing son, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was welcomed into the world in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, on August 14, 1943 by his parents Edith Tennison Ward and Eugene Ward, Jr. Jerry was the middle child of the three Ward boys. Jerry graduated Liberty Morris High School as Valedictorian in 1961. He graduated Northeastern University in Tahlequah in 1965. He married Shirley Ann Wimpey in 1964 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, and they moved to Lookeba, Oklahoma to teach and finish their last undergraduate semester. In 1965 they moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, and Jerry taught 6th grade. In 1967, they retuned stateside due to health issues and settled in Anadarko, Oklahoma. He finished his Master's degree from Northeastern University in 1971. Jerry was known best for his many years spent as the Principal of Sunset Elementary. He was a lifelong teacher, saying that he was driven by his desire of "not wanting to pick cotton for a living," although we all know better. He adamantly believed in the importance of education and was proud to be the first in his family to get a bachelor's and master's degree. He was not only a teacher of facts from school texts, but a teacher of life, and people confided in him and trusted his wisdom.
Jerry had passion for four things in his life: hunting, fishing, his family, and teaching, listed in order of priority, which is one reason we love this man so much. Jerry offered comic relief to his friends and family and was known to humorously exaggerate the truth, or as the grandkids say "Papa was lying if he was talking." His stories where poignant, and his sayings legendary. His extensive knowledge of the Bible was only equaled by his proficient repertoire of curse words. Jerry was also an excellent cook and was known for his beef jerky, homemade wine, and peanut brittle.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Wimpey Ward, the daughter of Edd and Hazel Wimpey. We know it was true love but as he teased that "it helped she had a car and they'd have double paychecks." They were blissfully married for 55 years. He is also survived by his daughters Rebecca Ann Ward Harjo and Rumanda Kay Ward Young and their families. Rebecca is married to Quanah Harjo and has two children, Nathaniel Parker Harjo and Kiva Eugenia Harjo. Rumanda is married to Jed Young and has four children, Gwendolyn Elise Young, Scarlett Adalyn Young, Annabel Josephine Young, and Juliet Vivienne Young. He is survived by a daughter-in-law, Connie McNamar Ward and her two children, Kendra Joann Ward Johnson and Keri Jecona Ward. In total he leaves behind eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews and other family members. By the Lord's blessing, he got to meet and love each one. Jerry, Daddy, Papa, Grandpa, and Uncle Jerry will be truly missed, but we will keep his spark and spunk alive.