Cover photo for Rickie Lee Ward's Obituary
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1951 Rickie 2020

Rickie Lee Ward

January 9, 1951 — November 10, 2020

Kalamazoo

Ricky Lee Ward passed away November 10, 2020 at his home. Ricky came into this world on January 9, 1951 in Asheville, North Carolina to the late James William and Edith Marie (Bagwell) Ward. Following a brief residency with his parents in Homestead, Florida, he graduated from West Henderson High of North Carolina in 1969. He participated and excelled as the trampoline halftime entertainment prior to becoming captain of the basketball and football teams. Following graduation, he served with the National Guard and received honorable discharge as SGT on November 5, 1976.

Rick is survived by his wife, Sharon (Hoover) Ward; son, Adam D. (Riley Heckman) Ward of Delton, MI; sister, Judy Shepherd Ward of Asheville, NC; three other children from previous marriages; grandchildren; and many other close relatives.

For 30 years, he was employed with BPR Engineering Co. of Holland and diligently performed his work as the Senior Mechanical Design Engineer. Rick enjoyed many activities—flying, sports, and music, with many of them being self-taught, such as golf, sketching, computer programming, learning to play the banjo, drums, and chess. This ability to take on whatever task with extreme focus and ability allowed him to always come out on top, and his talents made him admired by many friends and acquaintances.

Rick renewed his faith on October 6, 2019 at Peace Lutheran Church of Otsego, MI and was baptized on October 28, 2020 by Pastor Nathaniel Timmerman in his home. He was loved by many and will be missed by many more.

Private services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 805 S Wilmott Street, Otsego, MI 49078. Please contact the church for service details at (269) 694-6104. An additional service will be held in North Carolina in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Peace Lutheran Church of Otsego, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or Loaves and Fishes of Kalamazoo.

Please visit Rick's personalized online guestbook at https://www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Rickie Lee Ward, please visit our tree store.

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