Obituary of James Allen Ward

James A, Ward Memorial Funeral Service for Jim will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, July 10 at the Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home in Newton, who have been entrusted with the arrangements. A visitation with the family will be at the funeral home, 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, July 9. In LIEU of flowers: Memorials in Jim's name are being designated. James Allen Ward, 58, the son of L. Reed and Alice (Grosvenor) Ward, was born March 21, 1951 in Colfax, Iowa. A lifelong resident of Jasper County, he graduated from the Colfax Senior High School, Class of 1970, and attended the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. A resident of the Newton area, he devoted his life to and retired from the Newton Fire Department in 2006, after 30 years of service. He was a past president of the Local #1457 Professional Fire Fighter Union in Newton. Death came to Jim on Sunday morning, July 5, 2009 in the Monarch Wing at Skiff Medical Center in Newton. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Bob Ward. Jim will be remembered as an easy going, even tempered, generous man, who was the first to offer a helping hand to his family and friends. He did not judge but accepted everyone for who they were. This quality was the reason he had so many long time friends. Jim is survived by his wife Lori; his daughter Baylee (Adam Bowen); his step children: Mary (Brad) Johnson and Jay (Laura) Grimes; and his beloved grandchildren: Aiden, Taylor, Travis, Tanner, Wyatt, Payton, A.J., Ryan and Jordyn. He is also survived by a sister Margaret Ward (Steve Gibson) of Colfax; and his brothers: Bill (Jeanne) Ward of Florida and Richard Ward of Indianola, Iowa; and his many good friends. Jim's family would like to thank Dr. Bradley Lair, his nurse Julie and the staff at Powell #3 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center for their excellent care. His final days were spent in the loving care of Jasper County Hospice in Newton. Calling hours will be Thursday from Visitation with the family will be from 5 - 7pm at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Friday at 1:00 at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton with Rev. Merle Smith, Chaplain of Skiff Medical Center, officiating.