Capt. Charles E. Ward

​Captain Charles E. Ward, USN (Ret.) of Pace passed away on Friday, December 27, 2002. Charlie was the second of 10 children born of Mr. O.J. Ward and Hilda Parker Ward of Louisville, MS.
               He was preceded in death by his father and Sisters Edith and Rebecca.
His survived by his loving wife, Gail M. Ward, three sons and the their families, Roger Ward (fiancée Carrie) of Woodbridge, VA; LCDR John M. Ward, USN (Karen) of Anacortes , WA; and David Ward (Scherra) of Baltimore, MD; brothers James Ward (Carolyn) Coldwater, MS; Richard Ward (Iza) , Belton, SC; sisters Martha Nabors, Starkville, MS; Gloria Joiner, Louisville MS; Mary Sanders, Starksville, MS; Nancy Quinn (Billy), Louisville, MS; and Tina Ward, Charlotte, NC. Charlie (Pa) is also survived by his three precious grandchildren, Bailey, Kyler, and Kenna Marie and many loving nieces and nephews.
               Charlie graduated from Louisville High School, attended East Central Junior College, Decatur, MS, and graduated from Louisiana College, Pineveille, LA in 1959 with a degree in Mathematics.
               Charlie entered the Navy in 1959 through the Officer Candidate Program. Upon receiving his commission in 1960, he entered the Navy Flight Officer Program earning his Navy “Wings of Gold” in 1961. Highlights of a career that extended over 30 years include command of two aviation squadrons (VAW-115 and RVAW-110) and two major shore establishments (Commander Training Air Wing SIX, NAS Pensacola and NETPMSA, Saufley Field, Pensacola)
               Charlie attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, earning a Master’s degree in Computer Systems Management in 1972. In 1977, Charlie was named a distinguished graduate of the Naval War College, Newport, RI.
               Charlie retired from active duty in July 1990. The following year he served as an Adjunct Professor at Pensacola Junior College teaching College Algebra. From January 1991 to October 1999, Charlie was employed with Raytheon Aerospace serving as the Site Manager for Aircraft Maintenance operations on the Navy’s Primary  Trainer aircraft, the T-34C, at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, FL.
               He was a member of many organizations – the most recent being the Emerald Coast Seniors Scratch Golf Tour, Stonebrook Country Club, and Bob Sikes Retired Officers Association.
               Throughout his life, Charlie was devoted to his faith, family and church and will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

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