Life Reflections

Keith Jerome Ward, a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, and long-time resident of Lompoc, California, made his transition quietly on July 23, 2021.

Keith was born on February 26, 1955, in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Shortly afterward, the family relocated to Chicago to pursue more opportunities. Keith received his primary education at Roswell B. Mason Elementary School and his secondary education from Farragut High School, Class of 1972. Keith was very active in high school athletics where he played on the defensive line for the football team and ran on the cross-country track team.

Following graduation, Keith worked in the private business sector until enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1980. He had an impressive career in the USAF and was stationed at several posts including Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; McConnell Air Force Base, Wichita, Kansas; and Vandenberg Space Force Base, near Lompoc, California, where he completed his military career as a Technical Sargent, Missile & Space Systems Electronics Maintenance Craftsman. He retired from the USAF in 2002.  Keith was a proud patriot and was always excited to share a much-edited description of his experiences at Vandenberg, and we were equally excited to hear what he could share about his mission.

Keith also enjoyed a number of hobbies – he liked rock music, guitars and drums, and was a collector of electronics, mobile devices, and unique gadgets. But first and foremost, he was a passionate car enthusiast. He loved fast cars, especially his collection of specialty Corvettes.

Keith was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen, his parents George and Ruth Ward, his sister, Gloria Hearn, and his brothers, George Ward, Jr., Bennye Ward and Kirby Ward. He is survived by his sons Spencer Ward (Emily), Sacramento, CA, and George Ward, III, Flagstaff, Arizona, eight brothers, and sisters… Charles "Billy" Ward, Memphis, TN; Algenoy "Al" Ward, Memphis, TN; Toney Ward (Gloria), Chicago, IL; Shirley Roach (Sandy), Chicago, IL; Cozette Barrett, Chicago, IL; Sandra Bond (Ervin), Chicago, IL; Dannye Ward (Shirley), Chicago, IL; Daphne Ward, Chicago, IL, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.