Gene Edward Ward

Gene Edward Ward, 88, passed from this life surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 19, 2023.

He was born in Daviess County, KY on April 2, 1935 to the late Remus Allen Ward and Nola Ann Fulkerson. He grew up in the Owensboro, KY area and graduated from Daviess County High School.

Gene dedicated his life to Jesus Christ at the age of 15 and began preaching before he was 18 years old, which led him to pursue a career in Bible Studies. He met his wife Macon E. Smith of Louisville while attending David Lipscomb University in Nashville, they married in 1954. Gene attended Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas, Florida Christian College in Tampa, Indiana University Bloomington, and Western Kentucky University. He obtained his Masters of Education degree at the University of Louisville.

Gene taught history and other general studies in Horse Branch and Louisville, Kentucky. He was a guidance counselor at Hazelwood Junior High School in New Albany, Indiana from 1964 until his retirement in 1990. During this time he was also a little league baseball and basketball coach for the school system.

Gene was a gospel preacher for over 65 years at several regional congregations of the Church of Christ, including; Hartford, KY, Fountain Head, TN, Brandenburg, KY, Shepherdsville, KY, Mt. Washington, KY. He preached for the Park Street Church of Christ in Charlestown, Indiana from 1973 to 1983, then again from 1996 until 2018. Gene enjoyed being part of the lives of members in the brotherhood of Christ, and officiating at their baptisms, weddings and funeral services.
Gene loved life and enjoyed Bible study, history, fishing, sports (especially U of K basketball), motorcycles, and nature, but his greatest interest in life was serving God and spending time with his family. Every morning of his adult life began by reading the Bible, which blessed him with the stunning ability to quote entire chapters. He leaves behind a legacy of love, good humor, integrity and generosity.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 69 years, Macon Ward. His sons Steve Ward (Susan), Glen Ward (Rita), Greg Ward (Polly) and his daughter Saundra Bottom (Bill). Grandchildren; Phillip, Matthew, Samuel, Daniel, and Dylan Ward, Jimmy Wilson and Beth Ann McFarland. Great-grandchildren Courtney, Kamren, Landon and Hannah Ward. Sisters-in-law Shirley Myers and Mercedes Ward, along with many nieces and nephews living in Kentucky and beyond. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Wilford, George, Chester, and Bunk Ward along with his sister Lois Daugherty.

The Ward family wants to especially acknowledge and thank the hard working staff on the dementia unit at Riverview Village Nursing Home in Clarksville. Their kindness, dedication and loving care made his final years comfortable and eased the burden of Alzheimer's Dementia for his entire family.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (3309 Ballard Lane, New Albany) with his funeral service taking place at 12:00 p.m. Private entombment will follow at Evergreen Cemetery in Louisville.

Gene's service will be livestreamed at the scheduled service time. Click here to view the service.

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