Harold Ward

Harold Wayne Ward, 73, died suddenly Sunday, August 16,, 2015, in an accident in the mountains of Hot Springs County.

Born June 7, 1942, in Cement, Okla., he was the son of Harold B. and Phyllis (Moser) Ward. He graduated from Cody High School and was a fullback and linebacker on the state championship football team. Following high school he attended Eastern Montana University playing football and acquiring his Bachelor Degree in Education. He taught in Montana and Washington before settling on Thermopolis.

On March 19, 1966, he married Beverly Brewer in Roundup, Mont. The couple and their family moved to Thermopolis in 1980 where Wayne was a teacher for the Hot Springs County School District Middle School, coaching football and wrestling at both the high school and middle school. Well respected as a teacher, former students continued to keep in contact as they grew to adulthood. He retired from the school district at the end of the 2005-2006 school year.

An avid outdoorsman, he often led bear hunting expeditions for friends at a lodge in Canada. In recent years he took grandchildren and friends hunting for turkey and wild pigs in Oklahoma. Wayne founded the first game bird hunting operation in the county with customers from all around the region.

An unabashed Democrat, he believed in and practiced helping people in need. Known for livening up conversations everywhere he went, he immediately made friends with all who he met. Family has always commented that he only had three degrees of separation for anyone. With wit and wisdom he was a giant of a man who could reason with the toughest student.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years of Thermopolis; son Rick (Shawna); daughter Tracy (Pat); grandchildren Kalie, Brook, Will, Rylan, and Ben; siblings Sue Zack of Texas and Jim Ward of Montana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers.

In Lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warriors fund.