John H. Ward, Jr.

John H. Ward, Jr., 90 of Cornelius, NC died Tuesday December 17, 2013 at the Salisbury VA Hospice House. John was born to John H. Ward and Missie Best Ward in Paradise, AR on June 25, 1923. He attended high school in Rison, AR and promptly enlisted in the Navy following the December 7, 1942 attack on Pearl Harbor. By September 1942, while serving with the Navy amphibious forces, he participated in landing US Marine forces ashore in Guadalcanal. Later he served in a boat pool ashore in the vicinity of Henderson Field in Guadalcanal. His next duty was aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Saratoga. While aboard the Saratoga he participated in several major encounters with Japanese forces, including the battle of Iwo Jima. Following the end of World War II he served briefly in the San Diego and NAS Pt Mugu, CA areas. He married his long-time sweetheart, Elaine, on December 16, 1946 and was discharged from the Naval Service in October 1947. Subsequently he served as a civil service employee at NAS Pt Mugu until his retirement. His 40 year marriage to Elaine ended with her death in 1986. Following Elaine's passing he lived briefly in the New Orleans, LA area and subsequently moved with his companion, Doris Rusty" Folger to the Marina Villas community in Cornelius, NC. There he and Rusty probably spent the best years of their lives in this wonderfully warm and hospitable community. Rusty's death on March 15, 2011 marked the end of a 20 year relationship. In addition to the demise of Elaine and Rusty, John was predeceased by a sister, Ouida Paine in 2008. John is survived by a brother, J.D. Ward; a niece, Susan Allen of Pearl River, LA; a nephew, Greg Allen of San Diego, CA and a great-great nephew, Albert Tyson of Fredericksburg, VA. Memorial services are not planned at this time. Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family. Friends may offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com