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Douglas Gary Ward
November 30, 1949 ~ February 28, 2021 (age 71) 71 Years Old
6 Flowers or Condolences have been shared with support of Douglas's family - View on Tribute Wall
Douglas Gary Ward, beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend passed away on February 28, 2021 in his home of natural causes. Doug was born on November 30, 1949 in Boise, ID, to Jack Darrel and Orpha Genoa Ward. He grew up in Garden Valley along with his siblings; Alan, David, Greg, and Shauna, and called it home for most of his life.
He lived in Oroville, Washington for a short time, where he met Margaret Owen in 1976. Together they had four children; Robert (Damian) Ward, Annie (Pete) Thompson, Patrick Ward, and Emily Ward. Doug and Margaret raised their children in Garden Valley. Doug loved spending time with his children and was very proud of them.
Doug loved to read poetry to his children and encouraged them to embrace and commit their favorites to memory. One of his favorite poems was “If”, written by Rudyard Kipling, and he also enjoyed works by Edgar Allen Poe and Alfred Noyes. He especially loved attending school activities and sports and he rarely missed a game! He was a lifelong supporter of the Garden Valley Athletics Program and served on the school board for many years.
Doug spent most of his life outdoors. He loved to hunt, fish, trap, and in his later years he would spend hours driving the mountain roads looking at nature and spotting trees for the wood pile. Doug spent over 30 years of his life making a living in the woods in which he grew up hunting and trapping. He knew how to work hard and he instilled this work ethic in his children. After logging he joined the other family business and spent his days selling flowers and disappeared occasionally into the greenhouse to enjoy the beautiful flowers and conversation. His favorite visitors were his grandchildren.
Doug adored his nine grandchildren: Ella, Molly, Beatrice, Henry, Andrew, Simon, Robin, Kendrew, and Kellen and made every effort to be a part of their lives. Grandpa made sure to spoil them on Christmas, birthdays, and any chance he could.
Doug felt a deep sense of pride in his Scottish heritage and spent many years competing in the Highland Games, tossing various implements while sporting the traditional Scottish kilt. He encouraged his children to do so as well and was able to foster in them that same sense of pride. He was also an avid powerlifter, competing in national competitions with personal records of a 430 lb bench press, 547 lb squat and 550 lb deadlift.
Doug loved getting to know people. He was known as a story teller and friend to all who crossed his path. He loved to laugh and enjoy life and his absence will be deeply felt, not only by his family, but also the Garden Valley community.
Funeral services will be held on March 27 at 2 P.M. at Garden Valley High School and will be officiated by Pete Tverdy. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Garden Valley High School Alumni Scholarship Fund at Garden Valley High School.
Services
Service
Saturday March 27, 2021 2:00 PM Garden Valley High School 1053 Banks Lowman Rd. Garden Valley, ID 83622