David Carl Ward

David Carl Ward, 89, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024 in Graham. Funeral service will be held Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 2 p.m. in Oak Street Baptist Church. Burial will follow in True Cemetery under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home. 

David was born October 25, 1934 in Orth to the late R.P. and Artie Mae (York) Ward. David grew up on the Ward Ranch in the True Community Area, riding horses, working cattle, driving a tractor, pulling a hay baler with his brothers the crew, for his dad. He broke horses, competed in tie-down roping at several rodeos, including R.P.’s “Poor Boy Rodeo” at the Ward Ranch. 

David was saved and baptized at the First Baptist Church of Newcastle in 1953. He was a faithful member of Oak Street Baptist Church in Graham. 

After graduating from Newcastle High School in 1952, he married the love of his life, Wanda Ruth Willis June 4, 1953. They raised four children; Carla, Julie, Steve and Rob, and celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2023. He was a great dad, amazing Pawpaw, loved his family and cherished Wanda. He was the greatest of the great neighbor and friend. 

David’s dream was to own a cattle truck…that came true with his first truck in 1956 with “D C WARD” on side of trailer. He loved driving his truck and created a successful business hauling cattle across the country. This grew to several pot belly trucks. He purchased an airplane for expediting his travel demands, loading his trucks at different ranches, and handling his cattle buyer office at the Fort Worth Stock Yards. He loved flying and driving a truck…knew everything about cattle and horses. 

David and Wanda loved rodeos, taking brothers, Bob and Jo, Bill and Evelyn, with them to Cheyenne, WY rodeo “Daddy of “Em All”, for over 12 years, and one year to Calgary, AB, Canada. They all cherish those trips, traveling, eating and rodeo’n together. 

After exiting his trucking business, he operated a sizeable cow-calf ranch and farmed about 500 acres of wheat fields where he would feed out about 500 grain steers each year. He was a master at ranching, knew about as any Vet, doctor’n his cattle and horses. He could ride through a hundred steers and detect the ones getting sick, and doctor as well as a Vet. He would rope, tie’m down and doctor’m in the field. He preserved our western heritage. 

Horses and horsemanship were a big part of his ranching, owning several good quarter horses, however, “Carl Dan” was his favorite. 

Heaven has gained a good cowboy, husband, dad, brother and friend. He may be saddling a white horse today. “Vaya Con Dios”, David. 

Survivors include: wife, Wanda Ward of Graham; daughter, Carla Herndon and husband, Curtis of Graham; son, Robert Ward and wife, Jamie of Olney; brother, Bill Ward and wife, Evelyn of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Richard Herndon and wife, Kimberly of Plano, Stewart Herndon and wife, Kelli of Norman, Oklahoma, Tara Hanley of Graham, Heather Nugen of Graham, Amber Poirot and husband, Kyle of Wichita Falls, Sadie Snow of Graham, Ethan Snow and wife, Adela of Bowie, Sarah Snow of Graham, Michael Ward of Spokane, Washington, Hagen Ward and wife, Taylor of Fort Worth, Savannah Ward of Fort Worth, Logan Burrows of Olney, Kalli Ward of Denton, Keegan Plunket of Paradise, Morgan Plunket of Olney, and Carson Ward of Olney, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Bob and Charles Ward, daughters, Carol Ward and Julie Snow, son, Steve Ward, and granddaughter, Heather Self. 

We wish to thank Dr. Pat Martin and his amazing team at GMA, the wonderful team at GRMC, Beyond Faith Home Health and Beyond Faith Hospice for their care and compassion. 

Donations may be made to your charity of choice. 

Visitation will be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.