Ward Smith

This memorial, written by Ward Smith’s siblings, is reprinted from our 1971 - 1991 Panther Tales

Where do we start to write about a brother that we love who has passed away? Ward certainly was not someone you could bundle up into a neat simple package and say that was “Ward.” Ward was contradiction personified. He could be charming but aloof, whimsical yet sometimes afraid, gutsy and other times tentative. Aside from all that, Ward was a tender hearted guy that just wanted others to like him.

As his brothers and sister, we remember Ward as a sheep in wolf’s clothing and a guy who could never quite figure out where he fit in. He was a dreamer but sometimes those dreams lacked any real direction. Furthermore, he was not going to conform to any label or be placed neatly into a pigeon hole. Come to think of it, most of us are not that much different than he was.

Ward took on death as he took on life. He dared it, perhaps chanced it, and maybe he wished there might have been a different outcome. That was Ward’s way.

We hope for those of you who knew him that you have positive memories of Ward as a dreamer; someone who longed for and dreamed of a much simpler world.

We love Ward and miss him and we are thankful for having his life touch ours. We thank all of you as Ward’s classmates for your love and support.

Enjoy your reunion – we know Ward will enjoy “watching the show!” Our love to you all.

Scott Smith, Class of 1969 Chad Smith, Class of 1972 Amy Smith, Class of 1973