Manteca resident Gordon “Gordy” Kay Ward, 78, died on September 20, 2024.

Gordon was the youngest child of David Leon Ward and Ada Thurston Ward, born in Modesto, CA on May 30, 1946. His family moved from Modesto to Salida when he was very young. When he was about six years old, his family moved to Manteca. He attended primary schools in Manteca and graduated from Manteca High School. He loved to tinker with all kinds of motors from motorcycles to cars. 

   He also learned to play the trombone, and as a freshman in high school was privileged to play in the marching band in the Rose Bowl Parade. He grew up down at the tire shop with his father and brother, Cyril Ward, so he established himself in the tire business.  During the years of the Vietnam War, he joined the Army National Guard where he served actively until he was discharged in 1974. 

   Gordon served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Gulf States Mission. He and Rae Dell Gee whom he met at a singles gathering, began dating and were married on May 24, 1969, in the Oakland California Temple. He started a home for his young family in a mobile home in Manteca. He was fortunate some years later to provide a bigger home for his growing family. He raised eight children and family was an important part of his life.  Together with his brother they ran and operated OK Tire in Manteca. Later, in 1991 he began working for SSI as a forklift driver until his retirement in November of 2011. In retirement, he and his son-in-law started a small hardwood refinishing franchise.

   Gordon's hobbies included his love for music as he would often listen to various types of music from country to church music. If you visited his home on a Sunday morning, you would hear the church music playing as he prepared his family to attend church. He loved music so much that he sang in a barbershop quartet. He and his wife would also often join the church choir, and he had many opportunities to share his talents with others. 

   He enjoyed teaching his children how to maintain and work on their vehicles. He also enjoyed taking his grandchildren on wagon rides pulled behind the riding lawn mower. His other hobbies included photography, playing solitaire, watching westerns, and listening to country and church music. At one point, he attended San Joaquin Delta College in the evening classes to see if he could entertain the possibility of going into computer science. After attending a few classes, he knew his heart was in mechanics. 

   He was a devoted father and grandfather who took great pride and joy in his family. Gordon and his wife spent time with family and often traveled to visit his kids and grandkids all over the USA. He has been a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has held several positions where he continued to serve and help people in Manteca, CA. He has served in many church capacities throughout his life, including Elder’s quorum president, Sunday school teacher, Primary teacher, Youth leader/teacher, and choir member. 

   Gordon leaves behind his wife, Rae Dell Ward, and seven children; Richard Ward (Marci), Kaydell Muniz (Sergio), Brent Ward (Morevena), Raeleen Russell (Dan), Samuel Ward (April), Russell Ward, Desirae Burgin (Troy), and his twenty-seven grandchildren and his brother, Cyril Ward.

   He was preceded in death by his son Devin, his parents, brother, Leonel Ray "Sonny" Ward, and his sister, Vola Claire Brandow.

   A celebration of Gordon's life will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 6060 Northland Road, with viewing at 9 a.m. and the funeral at 10 a.m. 

   Arrangements by Eaton Family Funeral-Cremation.  Flowers may be sent directly to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 6060 Northland Road, Manteca, CA 95336

<*J>Manteca (Calif) Bulletin

Wednesday, October 2, 2024