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James A. "Big Jim" Ward, 77, a resident of Norton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024, at the West Virginia Caring Hospice Inpatient Center in Elkins.
He was born Jan. 3, 1947, in Elkins, a son of the late John R. Ward and Clara E. Pastine Ward.
On Aug. 31, 1968, at Coalton, he was married to Sharon J. Phillips, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Brian Ward and wife, Rhonda, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Hank Ward and wife, Ashley, of Coalton; two daughters, Cheryl Gottschall and husband, Matthew, of Norton, and Sara Ann Kirk and husband, Josey, of Belington.
One brother, Rodney Ward and wife, Donna, of Norton; and one sister, Louella "Jane" Cutright and husband, Jearl, of Norton; grandchildren, Ashur, Aaron, Andrew, Alexander, Aubree, Amelia, Matthew, Casey, Lily, Tatum, Tanner, Katie, Ethan, Tristan, Ethan, Grayson, Gena and Harley; and great-grandchild, Sutton, also survive.
Also preceding him in death in addition to his parents is one brother, Charles Ward; and one sister, Suzanne Ward.
"Big Jim" was a graduate of Coalton High School and a veteran of the United States Army, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was retired from Kelly Foundry, where he worked as a moulder. He was a member of HW Daniels Post 29 American Legion. When Jim was able to go out and about, you could find him in his favorite places… canoeing or fishing the rivers, hiking the woods, hunting raccoons with his hound dogs and friends, working in and around the barn, tending to the animals, working the horses, tending to the gardens, cutting or splitting wood, listening to music, sitting on the porch in the sunshine, listening to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren laughing and playing, or eating homemade hot wings or apple dumplings. He had stories of relatives, of the Vietnam War, of his kids, his parents, his childhood best friends, parties, stories about farm animals, swimming holes and hunting. Stories of his experiences, fears, and of course big foot.
Friends may call from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, from the funeral home chapel, with Pastor John Welch, Pastor Shannon Amorese and Pastor Mike Joseph officiating.
Interment will follow in the American Legion's Little Arlington Cemetery, where full military honors will be accorded at the gravesite by members of the West Virginia National Guard Honor Guard Program, H.W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, 301 Grant St., Suite 90, Pittsburgh, PA. 15219 or West Virginia Caring Hospice Inpatient Center, 169 Diamond St., Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Jim.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for James A. "Big Jim" Ward.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.