Morris Francis Ward

Morris Francis Ward, 95, of Lake Charles passed away on Monday, April 25, 2022 in his residence.

Mr. Ward was born to John Baylor and Frances Morris Ward in Haines, AK on April 15, 1927.  The Morris and Ward families were pioneers in the Chilkat Valley of Alaska.  At the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Navy and served in the Pacific during WWII, Guam, Okinawa, and Japan just two weeks after the second bomb was dropped.  Being in the Naval Reserve, he expected to be called back during the Koran Conflict, but during Korea and Vietnam he was in the Merchant Marines bringing ammo and supplies to our military.  He made five trips to Vietnam.  He sailed around the world and visited over thirty-eight countries on five continents.  His last trip with the Merchant Marines was as a chief pumpman on the SS Observer, which was blockaded in the Suez Canal in 1967 during the Six Day War.  While there, he visited Cairo and was at Nile Hilton when the King of Saudi Arabia and his entourage visited.  He was able to observe how the super rich lived, rose petals on the table and actual food tasters!  He stayed with the ship for four months, then returned to the U.S. and his “at sea” adventures were over.  Morris was a member of the VFW for over fifty years.  He retired from both Bridgestone/Firestone and Himont/Montell. 

His passion was fishing, and he spent many hours on Toledo Bend. Traveling in their motorhome was another great adventure, having traveled from Alaska to P.E.I. and Nova Scotia and many trips to the west coast. 

He is survived by his wife of over fifty-one years, Callie S. Ward; children, Kathleen, David, and Matthew all of Oregon and Karl Ward (Pannaros), James Sullivan (Cindy), and Angela Sullivan all of Lake Charles; sisters, Jeannie Sturrock of Juneau, AK and Judy Weir of Haines, AK; seven grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and numerous special nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Tom and David Ward of Haines, AK; sisters, Rosalyn Woods and Jacquelyn Ketterman of Waldport, OR and Bonnie Brown of Juneau, AK.

Mr. Ward was a member of Our Lady Queen of  Heaven Catholic Church in Lake Charles and Toledo Village Mission Church (St. Michael’s of Jasper, TX.)

A service will be held at 6:00 PM on Thursday, April 28, 2022 in the Johnson Funeral Home chapel.  Father Levi Thompson will officiate.  A private inurnment will be held in Consolata Cemetery at a later date.  Visitation will begin at 12:00 PM on Thursday and continue until the start of the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to  Lynn Canal American Legion Post #12, P.O. Box 452 , Haines, AK 99827.  Mr. Ward requested that his casket flag be displayed at the American Legion’s Wall of Heroes in Haines with those of his father, brother, Tom, and other family veterans.