James Ward

James E. Ward of Ashland, KY, passed away peacefully Monday, June 4, 2018, in Community Hospice Care Center surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Ashland, KY, September 28, 1922, to the late James Morton and Margaret Callahan Ward. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 67 years, Stella H. Ward; and a brother, William Nolan Ward.
He was a graduate of Ashland High School in 1941 and joined the U.S. Army in 1942. He was a WWII veteran and fought with the 728th Railroad Operating Battalion.
He retired in 1983 from the Chessie System Railroad (CSX) where he was an assistant director of labor relations. He also held the position of general chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fireman and Engineman and assistant general chairman of the United Transportation Union.
James was past district director of Ashland Babe Ruth baseball. He was a coach and manager in the Ashland American Little League and the Ashland Babe Ruth League. He was a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Ashland, KY, where he currently taught the Everyman's Sunday School class and formerly served as an Elder.
He was a 71 year member of Poage Masonic Lodge 325 F & AM, a 32nd Degree Mason, a 45 year member of the Scottish Rite in Baltimore, MD, and a member of the El Hasa Shrine. He also was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W.
Those left to cherish his memory are his son, James F. Ward and wife, Jeri, of Ashland; a brother, Roy E. Ward and wife, Mary, of Ashland; six grandchildren, Jami L. Conley and husband, Chuck, of Ashland, Jennifer L. Gosnell and husband, Mike, of Spartanburg, SC, Chris Hayner and wife, Amy, of Lexington, KY, James G. Ward and wife, Kim, of Ashland, Melissa K. Logan and husband, Cameron, of Ashland, Robert M. Ward and fiancée, Kristen Hina, of Ashland; eight great-grandchildren, Kyle and Carly Conley, Drew, Samantha and Emily Gosnell, Shaina and Evelyn Ward and Brady Hayner who affectionately called him "Pops". He was also survived by several nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
The family would also like to give a special thank you to his special friends, John and Bobbi Perkins and Carol Barker his housekeeper.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 8, 2018, at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church Disciples of Christ and will be officiated by Reverend Dr. Isaac W. Nicholson. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Burial Park with military rites by Kenova American Legion Post 93.
Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, with Masonic rites at 7:30 p.m. by the Poage Lodge 325 F & AM at Steen Funeral Home-Central Avenue Chapel and at the church Friday at noon until service time.
Friends may make contributions in his memory to First Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 1930 Winchester Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101 or Community Hospice.
Condolences may be sent to steenfuneralhome.com.