Joseph C. Ward MD

Joseph Charles Ward, MD, died peacefully January 21, 2025, surrounded by family. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on August 6, 1946, to Leah Virginia and Thomas C. Ward, residents of Lakewood, Ohio. Joe was, as one of his close friends recently described him, "quietly brilliant." He graduated from Lakewood High School, where he excelled academically and was a championship diver. He earned a bachelor's degree in zoology from Colgate University, a place he loved and where he thrived, serving as the business manager for the Colgate 13. He maintained a lifelong connection to the school and his classmates. He graduated from medical school with honors from The Ohio State University in 1972 followed by residencies in internal medicine in New York City and Boston. After practicing pulmonary medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, he and his wife, Jade Ward, established a private practice in Fallon, Nevada. Jade was Chief Operating Officer. At age 50, Joe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and became disabled, continuing his medical practice for three years, with specialties in internal medicine and pulmonary disease. His true love was critical care. MS cut his career short in 2000, forcing him to give up his practice. He continued to maintain his love for swimming and reading (along with coffee and sweets) for many years. He was a member of Cascade Athletic Club and Marshall Community Center, where Joe and Jade gathered lifelong friends. Joe was a swimmer, a cyclist, an intellectual, and loved his cats and dogs, especially Kat, who remained with him till the end. Joe is survived by his wife of 32 years, Jade Leslie Ward; sons Kevin Ward of Detroit, David Ward, of Austin, Texas, and their mother Ingrid Gunderson; sisters, Cindy Stevens of Washington, DC, Leah Beth Ward of Corvallis, MT (Lee Leslie); stepdaughter, Donna Sinclair of Washougal (Eugene Harris); stepson, Sean Ivey of Sutherlin, OR; grandchildren Jacob Wahlgren, Danielle Wahlgren, Christopher Wahlgren (Robyn King), and Jesie Danyella Jobson; and great grandchildren, Myleeand Mila Wahlgren, and Jonathon and JJ Susi. You may donate in Joe's name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, https://www.nationalmssociety.org/

Joseph C. Ward MD

August 6, 1946 - January 21, 2025