E.J. Gene Ward
February 12, 2006
Ward, Eugene John “Gene”, 87, retired Manufacturing Engineer with Beech Aircraft, died Sunday, February 12, 2006. Visitation with family 6:30-8:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 14. Service 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 15, both at Downing and Lahey East Chapel. Gene was a Navy veteran of WWII and was an avid sportsman enjoying hunting, fishing, golf and bowling. Gene was a past President of the Kansas Bowling Association and was inducted into the Kansas Bowling Hall of Fame in 1978. Preceded in death by wife, Doris of 45 years. Survivors: son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Janet Ward; daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Joe Keathley, all of Wichita; grandchildren Sara (Kevin) Whitelaw, Katie Keathley, Travis Ward, Matt Keathley and Rachel Ward. A memorial has been established with the Maude Carpenter Childrens Home, 1501 North Meridian, Wichita, KS, 67203.
Visitation with the family 6:30 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East
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Sorry to see where Gene passed away–What a kind and gentle guy. My accquaintance goes back along way. Probably to his early days as a Beechcrafter..My parents were good friends Dale & Rosemay Lee–He attended both my parents passings. My Dad & Gene bowled together for many yrs. all around the country. As a young lad, I have seen him bowl many many times. He knew me for a long time. May God Bless all of you in your loss. May he rest in peace. Jackie Lee
Jim I don’t even know what to say…it was a shock. We all know it will come one day, but we hope that day is as far off as possible. I was just thinking about some talks he and I had about the neighborhood, parents house, the past, etc. He has given me some good advice many times and was one person I would always listen to. Sorry to hear this. You know my sympathies are with you… and if there is ‘anything’ I can do or help with, let me know. (316-794-8181 or cell 734-3240). I’ll miss those talks with Gene. I know that Gene always cared a great deal for all of ‘his’ family. He would chuckle as he told me about something one of the grandkids had done, and then smile as he commented now one of ‘you’ would get to have the experience of dealing with those things (that kids always do & make it fun as parents). At that thought, he would chuckle again. Or, when we would stand .. sometimes in the street.. and tell some jokes… or laugh about some dumb thing in the past that either Jim or I had done (or both). He’ld ask if ‘any’ of my kids had done anything like that… and I would share some stories and challenges in that regard.. and we’ld laugh about it. We’ll all miss him. Good men, always are. Knowing him, has been a pleasure that will stay with me forever.
To Gene’s family, Gene was my Foreman in Manufacturing Engineering. Knew both he and his wife. Enjoyed working for Gene. I was in tooling for 35 years and in Manufacturing Engeering until retirement.I retired after almost 53 years at Beech. My age is 83 yrs. young. May God be with you and yours during this time of grief. Put God first and you will never come in second.
Gene Ward, a man whom I’ve always respected and liked. The world has lost a very good man.
Dear Family Members, I’m very sorry that I couldn’t make it to the funeral service. Two of my kids are sick today, so I couldn’t leave them. Please know, though, that my thoughts and prayers are with you. I’ll always remember your dad as being kind and generous. As you know, I would feed Dixie and ?? whenever he left town. Your father would always pay me more than I deserved, especially since I loved the dogs and enjoyed my ‘job’ so much. When we sold my parents’ home this past fall, I went over to visit your dad. We had a wonderful talk about ‘old times,’ the neighborhood, and my parents. I was impressed with how independent and strong he was. Of course, his kind, gentle heart impressed me the most. I’ll never forget your dad for the wonderful person and neighbor that he was. If my parents were still here, they would share in your sorrow as well. Again, I feel very badly for not being able to honor the memory of your dear father or encourage you in your loss. Having lost my father last March, I somewhat understand how you are feeling. Sincerely, Betsy (Murrah) Stowell