Roger Allen Ward, age 85, passed away Thursday, January 3rd, 2019. A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 26th, 2019 at Roden-Pryor Funeral Directors; 425 So. Church St., Paris, TX 75460. The family will greet friends at the funeral home one hour prior to services.
Roger was born June 16, 1933 to Viola and Sylvester Ward in Newark, NJ. He graduated from Bloomfield High School in New Jersey; attended Paris Junior College and later graduated from Oklahoma University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In between colleges, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years and was later honorably discharged.
Roger spent thirty-three years in the printing industry and retired as Vice President of Manufacturing with Ennis Business Forms. He was instrumental in building three new plants and driving each to successful business.
He married the love of his life, Marilyn Willison on August 29th, 1964 at Lovers Lane Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. Together they started their life in Riverside, CA and soon their daughter Robin Anne was born.
Roger began his love of aviation and the mechanics of flight while building model airplanes with his father. Later in life, Roger received his private pilots license. He was involved in many more beloved activities: tennis, cooking, water volleyball, wood working, art, reading, playing the violin, and spending time at the beach.
He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church of Paris where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Although Roger was diagnosed with many chronic conditions and disabilities, he never appeared to suffer. He never lost his sense of humor or love of life. He never complained about his chronic pain, although, at times it was debilitating. He was the most lovable and laid-back person you could ever meet. In a final act of selflessness, Roger has donated his body to the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern for heart and brain scientific medical research.
Roger leaves behind his beloved wife, Marilyn Ward; a daughter, Robin Ward; as well as, a sister in-law, Pat Brown, and her daughters, Julie Spruell and Brenda Bettaglio. Roger dearly loved many longtime family and friends who will forever miss him. Today he is looking down with a smile as we celebrate his life.
The family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Signature Home Health and Waterford Hospice for the excellent care they provided Roger in his time of illness.
The family requests that donations be made in Roger’s memory to Central Presbyterian Church, 309 So. Church St., Paris, Texas 75460.
