Sgt. Joshua Allen Ward

October 23, 1978 - February 9, 2009

3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment,
3rd Brigade Combat Team,
1st Cavalry Division

Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery
Section 44 Site 1251


Gold Star Mother
Patricia "Patti" Lyles Ward
 

Memorial
Tree
Planting


Find A Grave Memorial



© 2023 by LKat on Find A Grave. Used with permission.


Final Roll Call

Did you hear the sad news today?
A brave American Soldier, SGT. Joshua A. Ward has passed away.
Called by the Supreme Commander over all.
Today he has made his final roll call.

Come fellow Warriors; let us reverently bow and pray
For our valiant comrade, who has fallen this day.
We’ll drape his casket with a banner of beautiful hues,
Those glorious American colors: red, white and blue.

That star spangled banner he gallantly fought to defend,
Unyielding and undaunted, he fought to win.
He fought bravely and he passed the battle test.
Now the Supreme Commander grants him, “eternal rest”.

With dignity and honor, we’ll commit his body to the ground,
The bugler will sound “Taps” and we’ll fire the volley rounds.
The final military honors we’ll render somberly and ever so sadly;
“Old Glory” we’ll solemnly precisely fold and reverently give to his family.

Each Memorial Day we will recall Joshua A. Ward’s name,
And attest that his supreme sacrifice was not in vain;
For this lasting legacy he gave to all generations;
“It’s honorable to respect our flag and to defend our great nation.”

So close ranks fellow warriors, for our ranks are thinning.
We must keep on fighting and keep on winning.
With pride and honor we’ll march and stand tall,
And we’ll proudly - proudly - salute “Old Glory”
‘til we too make our final roll call.

Farewell SGT.. Joshua A. Ward - Be At Ease; Rest In Peace

By Carroll R. Michaud, Retired USAF Fighter Pilot
Used With Permission
 


Sgt. Joshua Allen Ward Sr.
(October 23, 1978 - February 9, 2009)

 Remember the Warrior

Today a soldier is put to rest. This soldier was a leader and a warrior both in the eyes of his family and any one that knew him. There are so many memories that we will cherish. We must all remember that Josh would want us to be strong. We must put one foot in front of the other and continue our lives. Just remember him as the friend, father, soldier, brother, and son that he was. He was a true warrior in the eyes of our family and to friends that knew him best. We are so proud of Josh for what he has sacrificed. Remember that freedom is never free. He will never be forgotten. Be strong, don’t cry and just remember him.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 20, 2009 at the First Baptist Church of Bay City with Rev. Ralph Howard officiating. Family will receive friends Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 2:00p.m. Until 8:00 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia. Interment will be held Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. with full military honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. Pallbearers will be Ben Ward, Eric Ward, Johnny Ward, CW2 Jeremy Milliman, WO1 Bryan Crumpler, Russell Ferrill, Mat Meuth, and Craig White.

Joshua is survived by mother and father, John M. Ward, Sr. and Patricia Irene Lyles Ward, his brothers, Benjamin Wayne Ward, Eric Johnathon Ward, and Johnny M. Ward, Jr. also his sister, Brandi Elaine Claire Ward. He is also survived by his sons, Joshua Allen Ward, Jr. and Zane Tyler Ward and their mother, Misty Dawn Calvert Ward; and finally Joshua leaves his fiancée, Deonna Julia Gunderson and his unborn son, Alexander John Ward, due July 6, 2009. He is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Ernest Bailey Lyles, III and his maternal grandmother just recently on September 21, 2008, Margaret Claire Warren Lyles.

Joshua will be missed by all of the above and we are sure by everyone he has ever come in contact with. We Love You Joshua!

The Fallen Soldier

Fallen Soldier All Alone Fallen Soldier Far From Home.
Trickling Down His Face A Tear,
Forgetting How it Feels to Fear Death and All its Fate and Glory.
Now It’s Here, No Need to Worry

Fallen Soldier All Alone Fallen Soldier Far From Home
He’s One of Those They’ll All Forget; The Life He Lived,
The Goals He Set, The One’s He Loved,
The Ones Who Wait To See His Nearly Forgotten Face.

Fallen Soldier All Alone Fallen Soldier Far From Home
Now Breathing’s Just A Waste Of Breath And Living’s
Just A Waste of Death As He Searches For A New Address;
A Brand New Home Free of Loneliness.

Fallen Soldier All Alone Fallen Soldier Far From Home
Lying Motionless On The Ground, The Battle Raging All Around.
For Now He Is Not All Alone.
This Fallen Soldier Is Welcomed Home.

Branden Hidalgo

Services are under the direction of Baker Funeral Home, 634 S. Columbia Drive, West Columbia, TX. (979) 345-3232 Online condolences may be left for the family by signing the guestbook at www.bakerfuneralhome.net
 


Local family loses son to Iraq war

By Heather Menzies

A Matagorda family lost their son, Sgt. Joshua Ward, as a casualty in Operation Iraqi Freedom Monday, Feb. 9.

According to a news release from the Multi-National Corps - Iraq, Joshua was one of four U.S. Coalition Soldiers killed when a suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive devise detonated near their vehicle in Mosul, Iraq.

He is survived by his parents John and Patti Ward, sister Brandi Ward and brother Johnny Ward, all residents of Matagorda, and older brothers Ben and Eric, of the Houston area.

Joshua also leaves behind his two sons Joshua Allen Ward Jr., 9, Zane Tyler Ward, 7, and their mother Misty Ward of Scottsville, Ky.

Other survivors are his girlfriend Diana Gunderson and a third son who is expected in July, residents of Fort Hood.

The family suffered the loss of his maternal grandmother Margaret Lyles of Matagorda just four months ago.

Joshua, a member of the Third Armored Cavalry Regiment Mosul, Iraq based in Fort Hood, was serving the beginning of his third deployment to Iraq that was scheduled to last for 16 months when he became the victim of a suicide bomber.

A nine-year Army veteran, he was serving his second term and due to get out of the military for good in September.

"When 9-11 happened, I remember him telling his mother that he wanted to make his boys proud and he just needed to (enlist)," said Brandi.

Patti was visiting a family member Monday morning in Needville when she received word from the Army that Joshua had been killed.

"At first she just couldn't believe it," said Tammy Smith, Joshua's aunt.

"We made several calls to make sure the news had come from a reliable source."

According to Brandi, Joshua was "such a family man."

"He loved his brothers in the Army - they were like another family for him," she said.

Joshua's father John was working as an operations supervisor for KBR in Afghanistan when he received the unwelcome news.

He is expected to arrive in Texas today.

Joshua was a 1997 graduate of Needville High School where he was a star football player - even recruited to play in the Way Down Under Bowl in Australia.

As a teenager he spent free time as a rodeo clown bullfighter.

When asked what one thing that the family would like for people to most remember about Joshua, his heroic sacrifice was the answer.

"My son gave his life for his country, he is a hero and will always be a hero," said Patti.

"The family is very proud of him and we want everyone in America to be proud of him - he did not die in vain," said Brandi.

Funeral arrangements have not been finalized but will be held in Needville.

Bay City Tribune, Published February 11, 2009
 


Guest Book for Sgt. Joshua A. Ward
 


LINKS

Soldiers at Mosul pay tribute to four fallen comrades

Former Needville resident killed in Iraq

Local Soldier Killed in Iraq Car Bombing
 


Arrival at Bay City Airport

Arrival at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia

Funeral

Tributes
 




 

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Created
Feb. 15, 2009		 Updated
Jul. 29, 2012
   

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