Donald Eugene ‘Don’ Ward, 62, died Monday, Jan. 20 at his Oakdale home after a battle with cancer.

He was the oldest of four children born to Donald Jerome Ward and Roberta Ann Ward at the naval hospital in Oakland. He was an alumnus of Granada High, class of 1969, in Livermore.

Shortly after graduation, he enlisted in the Navy. He served his country in the Vietnam War on a destroyer, the USS Hull-945, in the boiler room.

After the Navy, Mr. Ward worked at the Lawrence Livermore National Lab for 30 years where he was a Supervisor of Maintenance Machinists prior to his retirement.

He loved the river. He traveled to raft and kayak down different rivers in California. He also enjoyed his motorcycle rides in the foothills. He loved his dog and buddy Momma Star.

He is survived by his wife, Susan Gruidl-Ward of Oakdale; children, Christina Janich, Donald Ward Jr., Jeremy Ward; stepchildren, Matthew Gruidl, Elizabeth Dodson, Melissa Gruidl; mother, Roberta Ann Jeffers of Livermore; sister, Kathi Lyons of Livermore; brother, Thomas Ward of Livermore; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father, Donald Jerome Ward; and brother, Robert Allen Ward.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at the San Joaquin Valley National Veterans Cemetery, Santa Nella.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to JW House, 3850 Homestead Road, Santa Clara 95051.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

Feb. 19, 2014