Numa "Buddy" Ward
A coach is someone who tells you what you dont want to hear, who has you see what you dont want to see, so you can be who you always knew you could be
Numa Whitson Buddy Ward was born August 29, 1934 to Jack and Althea Ward in Goosecreek, Texas. He was called home to the Lord on August 1, 2016 surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Buddy grew up in Goosecreek and met the love of his life, Gloria Dean Ward in Junior High School. They were married on August 21, 1954. To this union they had three children Mark Dean, Paul Whitson and Sandra Jo.
Buddy attended Texas A&I and graduated from Sam Houston State University, then received his Masters Degree from Tarleton State University. He held several jobs over the years but teaching, coaching and school administration was his focus until he retired in 1992. Throughout his school career he worked for Normangee, Trinidad, La Vega and Connally ISDs in Waco teaching biology, chemistry, physical and general science and coaching football, basketball, baseball and track. In 1976 he moved to school administration for the remainder of his career. He also served fourteen years in the US Navy reserves.
Buddy was an active member of the church and was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church, Normangee in 1959. He continued to serve the church and teach the bible in Sunday School for over 50 years! He loved to share Christ and his life experiences.
Buddy touched countless lives throughout his lifetime. To know Buddy was to love him! He was a caring, loving, devoted husband, father, Papa and friend.
He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law and mother-in-law Ruble and Oma Dean Lamb, siblings Beth Dumas and husband Ben, Ethel Friermood and husband Darold, John Ward, and Ellen Crocker and husband Dale.
He is survived by his loving wife Gloria; immediate family Mark, Karen, Paul, Cindy, Sandi, Michelle and his grandchildren Molly, Mesa, Paul Jr. PJ, Lyndsay, Blaine, Crystal, Sami, Kristen, Colton and Moriah. He also leaves behind his great grandchildren Johnathan, Nicolas, Caden, Patience, Nathan, Joey, Landon, Erin, Logan, Grant, Pierce, Cody, Jenna, Korbin, Skylar, Javen, Peytyn, Jaxson, and Kolesyn as well as his sister-in-law Pat Ward, brother-in-law Dan Lamb and wife Carolyn and a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Pastor Bob Shirley and wife Kathy.
A celebration of his life will be Saturday, August 6, 2016 at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am at First Baptist Church in Normangee, with Rev. Bob Shirley, officiating. Interment will follow at Hopewell Cemetery.
Gloria,
I was so sorry to hear this news. I always loved that man! Kara’s first principal in kindergarten! My love and prayers are with you!
Jan
Love and miss you Papa. Thank you for being my “other” dad. We’ll keep the bird feeders full and the lillies watered for you. I can hear you saying “be sweet” – I will Papa I will!
Y’all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Praying God’s comfort, peace and understanding. Mr. Ward was a wonderful man and a great teacher.
We remember Buddy with love and laughter. Our trip to Texas was made brighter with Buddy as our guide. Love to all
So sorry to hear of Mr. Ward’s passing. I had him for science at Connally Jr High. It was great fun to be in his class, he made it interesting. My kids had him when he was principal at Northcrest. The first meeting with the new parents was a blast. He told us about the little kid who rode the bus & wouldn’t get off, so he was brought back to school. Turns out he didn’t know what the front of his house looked like. Mr Ward told us to take out kids outside & show them the front of the house.
May God give your family peace and flood your thoughts with wonderful memories of Coach Buddy Ward. What a special teacher he was. I have fond memories of Coach Ward.
I remember Buddy back during my elementary school days at Connally during the mid 70s.he was a very nice man. And Gloria taught my science class in junior high at Connally in the early 80s. Great folks! So sorry for yalls lose. Yall are in our prayers.
We loved him very much. He was a very beautiful person.
My thoughts & prayers are with Mr. Ward’s family! He was the Asst principal at Connally Elem. when I was in elementary school. I always remember his bright smile every morning.
My heart is sad after hearing about Mr Ward. He and Mrs Ward were both my teachers at Connally and he also was my basketball coach for a while. He took us on a student council trip when I was in high school and also took a group of us to normangee one time to get some of the trees that are planted out on the hwy side of the High School. He was a great man and teacher and will be remembered and missed by many. All of the Ward family are in my thoughts and prayers.
My thoughts and prayers are with all of you, I know he will be missed and I also know we will see him again where we have no sorrows, pain, just rejoicing in His holy name. God bless and I love you Gloria, we share lots of good memories between us and always will.
Mr. Ward was my teacher, and had a very big impact on my younger yrs, I was Blessed for knowing him and often think of him. My condolences to the family, but what a great honor to have such a wonderful person in your lives, I will always think of him with a smile on my face and remember that he was a true kind person that genuinely cared about others. Thank you Mr. Ward, and I pray for peace n comfort for your loved ones at this sad time.
Thoughts and prayers from the Connally Cadet Class of 80.
Mr. Ward was a great teacher who treated all of his students with kindness and understanding that made you feel special. He was a special teacher and great influence on so many. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family.
I am truly sorry to hear the passing of Mr. Ward. Please accept my condolences Mrs.Ward and may our prayers help comfort you and your Family
My dear cousin Gloria: You were so blessed to have a wonderful husband like Buddy. He brought sunshine and God’s love into so many lives. He made a difference.
Much love, many prayers to you and all your family,
Mr ward was my 7th grade teacher at connally Jr high…..He was a good man and a great educator…..
My prayers are with the family….
Buddy Ward…teacher, spiritual leader, husband, father, or friend…no matter the title, he was the best in every category. I fondly remember Connally School days with both Gloria and Buddy! They were the teachers that displayed character and integrity, but most of all, what love looks like! Their love for one another was radiant! Then I was privileged to attend church with them and see how they radiated Christ’s love. Buddy’s smile will never be forgotten along with the finest example on how to live life. Our deepest sympathies go out to Gloria and family. God comfort you in your sorrow. Much love, Sherri and David Hicks
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family. Mr. Ward will be truly missed.
Loved you like a dad Buddy. I will see you again. Big hugs Gloria love you honey.
Mr. Ward was a wonderful man. He gave me my 1st teaching job at Connally ISD. He was a great principal and man. I thought the world of him and was extremely sorry to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful Christian man and I know he is celebrating with the Lord.
Rest in peace Mr. Ward! He was a wonderful influence in my life as a teenager. Never to be forgotten! Mrs. Ward, thinking of you during these difficult times.
Our deepest sympathy to Gloria and Family from Bonnie Diakun and family
What an incredible man. He was such a great example of how to live life. I’m so sorry to the Ward family.
Robin
Thinking of you all and sending prayers to everyone there. Love, Dale and Millie and family
Our sympathy and love to Gloria and the Ward family. Thinking of you all at this time and always. Love from Edna and Jack and family
My deepest sympathies to the Ward family. Mr. and Mrs. Ward were my Jr. High science teachers; and I learned a lot from them both. Each was my favorite teacher the year they taught me. Mr. Ward was a very kind and caring man, who was always willing to listen and offer help if needed. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Some of my memories of a great Christian friend in Buddy Ward. Full of wisdom, great teacher and student of the Bible. Showed great love for family and friends. Gloria and family, just a few of great memories of Buddy.
Mr. Ward was my first Assistant Principal at Connally Elementary. He was supportive and kind and had a great sense of humor. My life was better for having known Buddy Ward. Heaven gained a special person! Prayers for peaceful hearts and sweet memories for his family.
Praying God’s comfort and strength for the Ward Family during this time. Connally High Class of 1978
I have such great memories of Buddy and Gloria not only from Connally but as church members at FBC Elm Mott – such love and devotion between two people and it was even recognized by those of us younger. An amazing testimony.. Hugs love and prayers from the Mack family to yours
My deepest condolences. Mr. Ward was a very positive influence on my life and he will always be remembered so very fondly!
To the entire Ward Family my condolences are with each and every one of you.
Mr. Ward was a wonderful influence to all CISD students who knew him.
Prayers for you all.
Tammy (Towery) Dulock class of 1979
What an awesome man! I will never forget the excellent example he was and still is as well as the personal advice and leadership he gave to all who inquired. Blessings and Godspeed!!
Our deepest sympathies go out to Gloria and her Family. He was a good friend and will be missed. May God give you comfort and peace.
Mr. And Mrs. Ward were two of my favorite teachers. They were so kind to us students. They both had the perfect balance of authority and friendship with us. Though it has been nearly 40 years since I was their student I still see them and the Mannerism’s in my mind. I write of both of them because they are inseoarable in my mind. We love you Mrs. Ward and your Dear husband.
I first met Buddy when I worked at NISD. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word. I got to know both he and Gloria much better though our church. Buddy was an awesome man of God. I had the privilege of sitting in Sunday School with him on several occasions and he was a great teacher. I feel privileged to have known him. Our hearts hurt because of our great loss, but Buddy is healed and is sitting at the feet of Jesus. It doesn’t get any better than that. My heartfelt condolences to his family. I know you will miss him.
My condolences to the Ward family. I have such fond memories of both Mr. and Mrs. Ward. One time in his Biology class, as I went to sit down, some boy pulled the chair out from under me and I fell hard on my bottom. Mr. Ward gave that boy an earful!
Mr. Ward was my favorite teacher at Connally Jr, high and a kind person. He was very caring about all of his students. My heart goes out to his family.
Mr. Ward was my principal for many years. He was a friendly person. Laughed much. Very nice. My sympathy to his family and loved ones.
Blessings, pat Talbert
Oh sweet Buddy!! He always had that sweet smile and laugh. We have so many wonderful
Memories , such a good long time friend!!
Buddy would help anyone in need. He was a great friend, teacher, leader, father, husband,
And many ,many more things that you can think of. Buddy was truly wonderful person and will be
Missed. Ward family we love you! Sorry for your
Loss, ??????
My prayers are with the Ward family. Buddy was a great teacher, mentor and friend.
God bless and comfort you at this time. Buddy will truely be missed. Love Estell
To Gloria and Family: I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Buddy. He was a great boss and he made coming to work easy.
Gloria and Family,
We were saddened to learn of Buddy’s passing, and we pray that God will wrap His Mighty Arms around all of you and carry you through this difficult time. Buddy was a wonderful man and leader; we thank God for Buddy’s Christian witness. Our thoughts and love are with you.