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** I have No know connection to the following person(s)**
02/28/2005 Monday San Antonio Express News (Bexar Co., TX)
Surnames mentioned in obituary:
WARD, JIMENEZ, BARBOSA, PRINCE, MOORE, KING, TAWFIG, SCROGGINS, ALLEN, REYES, RAMSEY,
ALEXANDER, WIESMANN, TAYLOR
Ward
A recipient of the Silver Star Medal during World War II for his gallantry and action during the battle to defend the Philippine Islands on Bataan, and a survivor of the Bataan Death March Joseph A. Ward, Sr. died on Friday, February 25, 2005 at 81 years of age. Known by his friends as Joe, he was a hero to his comrades, as well as to his family. He was born at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. His father, Joseph J. Ward, was from Dublin, Ireland, and his mother, Dolores Jimenez Ward, was from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. Joe proudly called himself a survivor having to experience a difficult childhood, where his mother died when he was only 10 years old. He enlisted in the Army Air Force in May 1941, at the age of 17. On April 9, 1942, he and 70,000 other American soldiers were ordered to surrender on the islands of Bataan and Corregidor, which was the largest American army in history to surrender. While the Japanese pounded Corregidor, they led their prisoners on a forced march out of Bataan, known as the 'Bataan Death March'. Before the "Death March" was over, those who survived marched more than sixty miles through extreme heat with almost no water or food. Somewhere between 5,000 and 11,000 men never made it to Camp O'Donnell the first stop for Joe and his buddies. He survived the horrendous treatment by the Japanese during the 'Death March' and was forced to work as a slave for the Japanese Military-Industrial machine in their factories. Joe often said that he and his comrades 'experienced horrors no man should ever have seen'. Joe was a survivor, but he was much more to his family who loved him and cherished his commitment to them. He met his wife, Alice Barbosa Prince, when he returned home from the war. From that point, Joe and Alice danced in their love. They gave birth and life to three children: Joseph A. Ward, Jr., Elizabeth Ward Moore, and Patricia L. King. Joe's experience in WWII is only surpassed by his love, his dedication, his attention and his playfulness with his grandchildren, Rachael Ramsay Allen, Joseph J. King, Elise N. Ward Tawfiq, Ryan A. Ward, Jonathan P. King, Cassandra King, Priscilla V. King, Hasan C. Tawfiq and Luke D. Scroggins. He also shared a special place in his heart for Cathy L. Ward his daughter-in-law. With his son-in-law, Eddie Moore, he shared stories of aviation. He always enjoyed a joke and would frequently tell the same one many times. His many nephews, nieces and other relatives remember his jest for life, his smile and his laughter when pulling a practical joke. Up until six hours before his death he was playing with the kids and letting them know how he treasured and loved them. Upon returning from WWII, Joe served as a San Antonio Firefighter. Because of that experience, he could recognize a grass fire from a house fire just by the color of the smoke. Many times, he would take his children to locate the fire and was frequently the first on the scene, directing neighbors to place water or to go to safety until the fire department could respond. From the Fire Department, he went to work for the United States Postal Service where he is affectionately remembered by many people on his 'route'. He also worked for the United States Weather Bureau and became fascinated by weather. Joe became known as the family's 'Weatherman' being able to accurately predict the weather for a family event. Not wanting to transfer out of Texas and relocate his family, Joe made a decision to return to the USPS from where he eventually retired. However, his retirement was only an opportunity to share more time with his grandchildren, who called him Tata, and other boys and girls. Joe was invited to present talks and discussions to area schools and organizations on weather, as well as his WWII experience. He was honored by his grandson, Luke Scroggins, who portrayed Joe and his experience as a Prisoner of War for a history project that became a State finalist in 2001. He and Alice would always be at their grandchildren's special events whether that meant a dance or piano recital, a baseball game, graduation, his granddaughter's wedding or to support his grandson's band, Canvas, at a rock concert that started at midnight in Austin, you could always count on Tata and Nana to be there. He also gave unselfishly to other veterans, often helping them navigate the Veteran's Administration system to secure their rightful benefits. Winston Churchill said, 'We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.' Joe gave much more than what he received. Viewing will be Tuesday, March 1st from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Porter Loring. ROSARY TUESDAY FEBRUARY 1, 2005 7:00 P.M. PORTER LORING CHAPEL 1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE. MASS WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 2, 2005 10:00 A.M. BLESSED SACRAMENT CATHOLIC CHURCH 600 OBLATE Pallbearers are Joseph King, Ryan Ward, Jonathan King, Manuel Prince, William Prince, and Bernard Reyes. Honorary pallbearers are Joe Alexander, Jack Wiesmann, Ronald Prince, Brian Prince, Hasan Tawfiq, Manuel Prince, Jr., Luke Scroggins, and Zachary Taylor. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the American Diabetes Association PO Box 1131 Fairfax, VA 22038-1131 or go online www.diabetes.org. Interment will follow in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for burial with full military honors. Arrangements with Porter Loring Mortuary.
http://obits.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?id=41825&type=0&print=1
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