Grady "Joe" Olen Ward

July 16, 2020 Grady Olen Ward passed to his final resting place. Surrounded by the love of his life, Ms. Jean Torres (coming in at a whopping 72 pounds lovingly referred to as The Boss), and his extremely good-looking children, Yvonne (favorite and knows it), Matthew (tallest, best-looking, most chill), and Stormy (likes to run after ice cream trucks, has loudest laugh and biggest smile) Joe had fair winds and following seas leading him on his voyage to the upstairs.
Born to Alfred and Edna (Phillips) Ward, in White Store, Mississippi, Joe had seven siblings. Stories abound from his surviving siblings, Kathleen, Georgia, and Homer, of the joy "Joe Ree" was to be around when growing up and the true love he showed to his family, even at a young age. The relationship between Joe and his siblings is one that many would envy.
With a sense of travel in his eyes and heart, Joe enlisted as an electrician apprentice in the United States Navy, where he was assigned for the duration of service to vessel U.S.S. Henry W Tucker DD-875, in 1959. Serving his country, Joe achieved the rank of BT2, boiler technician second class,ultimately receiving his Honorable Discharge.
After his enlistment Joe ventured toward California where he continued his work in the electronics industry. Remaining with Teledyne Electronics until retirement, Joe held a vast amount of knowledge that answered many long distance phone calls with ease, instructions and chuckles. He was the go-to man if you had a question. It came like second nature...just like his selflessness, his love for our country, ballroom dancing, jokes, reading, tennis...and sardines.
Joe was an adventurous soul and one that could make a friend anywhere he went.
When Joe passed he left behind his beautiful, lifetime partner, Ms. Jean Torres, children Yvonne (David) Louviere, Matthew (Holly) Ward, Stormy (Craig) Brandt, siblings Kathleen (Milt) Gorden, Georgia Ward, Homer Ward, 12 grandchildren and 5 great grand children. Joe is having his own celebration in Heaven with his 5 children, his parents, and four siblings, that have predeceased him.
Always a sailor in his heart, Joe will be scattered at sea.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 25th, 4 p.m. at the family residence.