Obituary: Lonnie B. ‘Rusty’ Ward

Lonnie B. “Rusty” Ward, age 69, a resident of Oliver Springs, passed away Friday, August 1, 2014, at the Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge.

Mr. Ward was born July 23, 1945 on Windrock Mountain to the late Howard and Clara Roberson Ward.

Lonnie served his country in the United States Air Force with 21 years of service. Lonnie received his degree from the University of the Air Force.

He was also preceded in death by his first wife Cynthia Hodges Ward, and by sisters Sandra Jean Ward and Sylvia Jo Wallace.

Lonnie is survived by his wife, Sue Younger Ward; by a brother, Thomas Ward and wife Sue; by a sister, Nacola Norene Crookshanks and husband Leon; by daughters, Tracy Pearson and husband Clinton, and Robin Nardone and husband Daniel; by grandchildren, Cori Ann Nguyen, Jarrett Ian Nguyen, Rebecca Lynn Sanchez, and Loni Beth Sanchez; by a son-in-law Tommy Nguyen; and by a special fishing buddy Keri Lynn Brown.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 5, 2014, between 5 and 6 p.m. at the Union Valley Baptist Church. A special gathering for his final horseback ride will be at 6 p.m. A memorial service will follow at 6:30 p.m. with Rev. Wayne Morgan, Randy Wallace, and Kenneth Seiber officiating.

Sharp Funeral Home is serving the Ward family, and an online guestbook is available at www.sharpfh.com.