John F. Ward 73, of Troy
1964 Topps (#116) baseball card:
http://tinyurl.com/7lua5av
Back
http://tinyurl.com/77ebwnk
FROM: The Western Montana News ~
(Paid obit)
John (Jay) F. Ward, former major-league baseball player, hitting coach
and minor-league manager, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 24, 2012,
at the age of 73.
He and his wife Lynn were living in Troy, Montana, where he enjoyed
his retirement years hunting and fishing.
Jay, son of John and Francis Ward, was born in Brookfield, Mo., on
Sept. 9, 1938. He attended Mountain Grove High School in Mo., and
eventually graduated from Highland High School in Illinois in 1956.
He was known by all as a great family man, with a passion for his work
and his recreational activities.
He was truly a “coach” who enjoyed teaching and sharing his passion
for the game of baseball with others; he was admired by his players as
a real “player’s coach.”
We know Jay will be greatly missed but the influence he has had on the
lives of his family along with hundreds of lives throughout his
professional and personal life will never be understated or
overlooked.
He was a great man, coach, friend, and father who always inspired
people to excel with hard work, integrity, and passion.
He is also survived by his four children: Liz Citron, husband, John;
granddaughters Riley and Elly; Barry Ward, wife, Laurie and
grandchildren Ricky, Ginny, John and Kevin; Jan Armstrong, husband
Jeff, grandchildren Alison and Harris (deceased); Kerri Elmblad,
husband Glenn, grandchildren Nicholas and Sidney. Step-daughter,
Rhonda Miller, her children, Stormy, Angel, Rhiannon and Kerri, and
step-daughter Lori Lehman, her husband, Craig and children, Cain,
Hannah, Tyler and Mailynn. Also, sister and brother in-law Deb and
Steve Frey of Libby, and one great-grandaughter.
1989 Star (#24) Minor League baseball card:
http://tinyurl.com/7hewbgh
MLB stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/wardja01.shtml
Thanks to Jack Morris from SABR for this obit.