Obituary -- Gary Harrold Ward

On Monday, January 18, 2021, Gary Harrold Ward, loving husband and father of two children, passed away at age 71.

Gary was born January 19, 1949, in Inglewood California to Mary and Durwood Ward. He enlisted in the Navy on January 11, 1968. It was towards the end of his service when he met the love of his life, Mary J. Bradley at Starvin Marvin’s in 1969, and they were wed a year later in 1970. The two set down roots in Mary’s hometown of Fallon, NV, where Gary and Mary raised their two children. After the end of his enlistment, Gary continued his career in Civil Service from December 26, 1973, until his retirement on July 31, 2010.

Gary was a beloved and active member of the Oasis Community Church, where he greeted and put smiles on countless faces every Sunday. He also had a passion for cars, like his 1956 Chevy Bel-Air which he entered in numerous Hot August Nights car shows and Father’s Day contests. If you knew Gary, you knew you could always find him in his recliner at home, sipping a glass of tea, and watching reruns of every old western movie and show you can think of. Gary wasn’t a man of many words, but he was known throughout the community for his work ethic, patriotic spirit, devotion to his family, and the most contagious laugh and smile.

Gary was preceded in death by his mother Mary (Ward) Lowe, father Durwood Ward, and sister Patricia E. Ward. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ward, his son, and daughter-in-law Larry and Merlene Ward, his daughter and son-in-law Carrie and Phil Grundhouser, his grandchildren Cody Ward, Katrina Grimes, Michelle Ward, Tonya Schnepp, and Gary Schnepp, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of Gary’s life will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021, at Oasis Community Church at 10:00 a.m., followed by a graveside service at Northern Nevada Veteran’s Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.