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WARD Joe H. Buck Ward Jr. , age 84, passed away on June 23, 2011. Born Sept. 2, 1926 in Austin, TX to Joe and Etta Ward, he graduated from Edison High School in 1943 and from the University of Texas with a B.A. in 1946, M.A. in 1949, and a PhD. in 1953. He lettered in basketball at UT in 1945 and served in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1946. He married Bettie Branson in 1949 and moved back to San Antonio where he taught math at Texas Military Institute from 1949-1951. Joe worked as a research scientist for the U.S. Air Force at Lackland and Brooks AFB in personnel research for 30 years and spent 4 years with the Southwest Educational Development Lab in instructional technology. Joe received San Antonio's Civil Servant of the Year Award in 1963 in the Professional and Scientific Career category and, in 1994, the Gene Holmgreen Award for 25 years of outstanding volunteer service to the San Antonio YMCA. In 1997, he was a Hero for Children given by the Texas Board of Education and was honored with the Outstanding Intergenerational Volunteer of the Year award from the Northside Independent School District . He was a Board Member of the Alamo Regional Science Fair and Junior Academy of Science. In December 2001, the NISD Board of Trustees announced a new elementary school would be named the Dr. Joe Ward Elementary School to honor his many years of volunteer work with the district. This recognition was one of his proudest moments. Joe had a lifelong love of working with youth in many areas, including computers, statistics, science fair, and basketball. He was a volunteer teacher of computer basics and application of statistics to any student eager to learn. He mentored students at Health Careers High School for many years and students from all parts of the San Antonio area who wanted help with statistics related to science fair projects. Coach Ward spent many years coaching basketball teams at the YMCA and teaching basketball and life skills to San Antonio youth, including coaching in the Nemo Herrera High School All-Star Game. Surviving him are his wife Bettie of 62 years, sons Bradley Ward and wife Miriam of San Antonio, Dr. Kent Ward and wife Marsha of Edmond, Okla., grandchildren Miranda Ward, Molly Jobe and husband Casey, and Kevin Ward. The Ward family would like to acknowledge the staff at the Northeast Baptist Hospital in the SICU and PCU for their caring and comfort in his last few weeks, and to Dr. Minh Do for his compassionate professionalism. SERVICES Joe will be honored at a "Celebration of Life" ceremony on Saturday, July 16, at 2 pm at the TriPoint Family YMCA, 3233 N. St. Mary's St., San Antonio, TX 78212. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the following organizations that Joe was passionate about, or to your charity of choice. Alamo Regional Academy of Science and Engineering, P.O. Box 701175, San Antonio, TX, 78270-1175 Dr. Joe Ward Elementary School, 8400 Cavern Hill, San Antonio, TX 78254. YMCA of Greater San Antonio, 3233 N. St Mary's, San Antonio, TX, 78212. You may sign the online guest book at www.missionparks.com under the obituary section.

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Joe H. Ward, Jr.

September 2, 1926 - June 23, 2011