Obituary of Douglas Robert Ward

DOUGLAS ROBERT WARD, Age 94, Ventura, CA  August 28, 2023

            Doug was born November 28, 1928, to Robert and Grace Simmons Ward, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On graduation from Orwigsburg High School, Doug joined the US Army and served in Korea with the 31^st Infantry Regiment of the 7^th Infantry division. Military duties included playing baseball to entertain the troops! Doug graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology (now Drexel University) with a BS in Business Administration in 1953. A pitcher on the varsity baseball team, he even had a tryout for the major leagues.

            In 1954 Doug married Joyce Elon Lynch, settling in Philadelphia. First working at Breyers Ice Cream Company, Doug then created and managed the pre-computer “Business Machines Department” for the Philadelphia United Fund. He Joined RCA and was among the first to be trained in the use of computers.

            The family moved to Southern California in 1959 and Doug worked as a computer programmer with Hughes Aircraft and for the then-fledgling Computer Sciences Corporation in Palos Verdes, California. 

The Wards settled in Santa Barbara in 1966, now with three children. Following a long-held dream, Doug worked as a stockbroker for EF Hutton for many years. Doug gave the daily stock market report on radio station KTMS, giving voice to the slogan “When EF Hutton Talks, People Listen”.  As empty nesters, Doug and Joyce enjoyed living in Ormond Beach, Florida; Carmel, California;  Medford, Oregon; and Grover Beach, California. Doug retired from his career as a stockbroker with AG Edwards in 1994.  He then embarked on a second career in art, painting landscapes and abstracts in acrylics, and also enjoying listening to jazz and playing golf. Doug and Joyce moved to Ventura County in their later years to be near family.

A wonderful father with a great sense of humor, Doug helped with homework, encouraging academics and attended all his children’s sports and music events. He played catch, ping pong, tennis, and showed his kids how to body surf in the ocean and discover the wonders of nature along the California coastline.

Doug always found time for charitable causes and youth groups: Santa Barbara Little League, Indian Guides, SMART (Start Making a Reader Today), Pismo Beach Jazz Festival, and Meals on Wheels.  Raised in the Episcopal Church, in later years Doug followed Buddhism and its teachings of peace.

Doug is survived by his wife of 69 years, Joyce Ward, Ventura California; children JillAnne Ward McCarty MD, PhD (Scott), Robert Eugene Ward (Jenilee) of Newtown Square, Pennsylvania; Beth Leone Walsh (Casey) of Carlsbad, California, Grandchildren Connor, Kyle, Kienan, and Colin McCarty; Skyler, Alex, and Devin Walsh;  Zachary and Jessica Ward; Great-grandchildren Cameron and Ryan McCarty; and his brother Ronnie Ward of Cape May Court House, New Jersey. Doug was preceded in death by his parents and sister Muriel Wenker of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A private memorial service will take place with interment at Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego, California.