George Douglas Ward, 84, of Sherman, Texas passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. After several months of declining health, George went home to his Lord and Savior while reading his daily devotional. His devotional passage for the night covered Joshua 24:15 and was so fitting as the message to send him home: “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” For not unlike Joshua, George knew that his days on earth were a limited number. He also felt that his life’s mission was over and had been calling his children home to share the word of the Lord with them and assure them of the readiness of his soul.
George was born at his family’s farm on December 28, 1937, just outside of Fair Bluff, North Carolina to his father, Irvin Ward, and mother, Rossie (Floyd) Ward. He and his twin, Dow, were the youngest of a large family that included 12 siblings. As a young man, George worked alongside his family on their family farm where he often plowed the fields with a mule and harvested tobacco by hand. In 1955, at the age of 17, with the consent of his mother, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. While serving the country that he dearly loved, he not only completed the requirements for high school graduation but, became a Radar Technician on the rocket guidance systems found on the F86 Fighter Jets. He was stationed at Perrin Air Force Base in Grayson County, Texas, an area that would become his home for the remainder of his life. After separating from the Air Force in 1959, he joined the Civil Service Oklahoma Air National Guard where he rose to the rank of Staff Sargent. George would go on to work for 10 years in communications as a dispatcher for the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was often seen fearlessly climbing the tower to fix issues with the areal antennas. After leaving DPS, he became a custom home builder and then, an area Realtor. He was the owner/broker of Texoma Realty, Century 21 AAA Realty, and AAA Realty.
He served as the area manager of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for 4 years. As area manager, he was responsible for 7 counties. Being a tireless worker, he opened and ran AAA Autoglass until his retirement. From meager beginnings, George knew that hard work and education were essential. He completed an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Grayson County College and received his sales and brokerage licenses from Real Estate Career College. George loved his family. His daughter Susan and Husband Eddy Bradshaw lived next door and cared for him through the years. Although moving around frequently, his son Edward and wife Cindy are also in the Sherman area again. His daughter Jeanine and Husband Paul Wolf have lived further away and have been grateful for his skills with technology to stay in constant contact. Distance never diminished the love and pride he had for his children, 9 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. As George’s earthly family grieve his loss, those who proceeded him: his parents, all 12 siblings, his beloved wife Rhonda, stepson Stephen, and grandson Roston were there to welcome him home. George was beloved by everyone who know him.
He was a gifted storyteller, a cherished mentor, full of humor and wit, and a tireless and loyal friend. He loved his family more than any earthly thing, and he gave credit to every one of his life’s successes and blessings to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. George’s life was one of service. It was his mission to share God’s words and blessings with as many people as he could. When he was physically able, you would often find him at West-Sherman Baptist Church working on repairs or mowing the lawn, or working for the charities and organizations he held dear. He volunteered over 13,000 hours at the Bonham VA Hospital, collected and donated wheelchairs for the Cancer Center, and furnished medical equipment for those in need. A visitation for George is planned for Thursday, October 20, 2022, at Waldo Funeral Home, 619 N Travis, Sherman, Texas, from 6 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be Friday, October 21, 2022, at 2:00 pm at West Sherman Baptist Church, 1830 West Washington St, Sherman Texas 75092. Burial with Military Honors will be at West Hill Cemetery immediately after the funeral service. Jakob Wolf, Trey Bradshaw, Zach Bushey, Stephen Ticknor, Ed Bradshaw, and Bryan Beaver will serve as Pallbearers. Online condolences may be made at www.waldofuneralhome.com.
