David Franklin Ward

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IN LIGHT OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

BY FEDERAL AND STATE AUTHORITIES CONCERNING THE COVID 19 VIRUS

THE FAMILY OF DAVID FRANKLIN WARD HAVE MADE THE CONSCIENTIOUS DECISION TO CANCEL OR POSTPONE

ALL PUBLIC VISITATIONS AND FUNERAL SERVICES

There was never a project too big for David “Dave” Franklin Ward.

A lifelong tinkerer, Dave spent much of his life learning how machines worked as a Parts Manager for Loving Chevrolet, Martens Chevrolet, and Chevy Chase Chevrolet before retiring in December 1999.  

He took his mechanical knowledge home where he built a go-cart for his three children, David T. Ward, Sr., William “Bill” Ward, and Linda (Ward) Baumgart.

Those three kids meant the world to Dave and his lifelong best friend and wife, Virginia “Ginger” Ward.

Dave met Ginger in 1951 when he was 17-years-old and she was 15. The two worked together at J.C. Penney where Dave stocked shelves and Ginger sold candy. Even though Dave gobbled up free candy when the boxes came in damaged, he made sure to buy it from Ginger, just so he could talk to her.

After he graduated from Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland, Dave married Ginger in 1955. The two were married for 64 years and enjoyed retirement together in Dagsboro, Delaware until Ginger passed away a short four months ago.

In the early years, they didn’t have much money, but the couple always had an abundance of love. Dave would do anything for his three children, four grandchildren (David “Dave” T. Ward, Jr. (Ann), Amie Ward, Nick Thompson (Wasu), and Jacob Baumgart) and three great children (Angelina Ward, David “Davey” T.  Ward, III, and Charles “Charlie” Ward).

And when I say he would do anything for them, I mean anything.Every December, a bell that played Christmas music hung from the Ward’s ceiling. Just about every family member has yanked the string too hard and broken that poor old bell, but Dave fixed it every single time.

He never did it because he had to; he did it because he cared about tradition and family history.

That same love of tradition fueled his passion for antique cars, bluegrass music and history documentaries. Up until his last day, a vintage car magazine was never far from his bedside.

Dave spent his last moment’s at his daughter’s home, where he passed Monday morning. He was 85.

He joins his true love, his son, his sister (Betty Haley) and his parents (Clyde S. Ward and Elsie Titus Ward) in heaven. His brother John Ward (Roberta) will continue the family tradition here on Earth.

In accordance with regulations in place to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the funeral has been postponed until the restrictions have been lifted.  The family will send out new details when services are rescheduled. 

If you have already placed a flower order, please contact the establishment directly to make other arrangements. Donations to Hospice of the Chesapeake can be made at any time at www.hospicechesapeake.org or 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, Maryland 21122.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Franklin Ward, please visit our floral store.