JERRY LEE WARD. Friend. Ally. Founding Parent of Fresno PFLAG in 1990. Grand Marshal, Fresno Rainbow Pride Parade & Festival in 2006.
Memorial/Celebration: Sat. Sept. 3, 2016 at 11:00am. United Methodist Church, 1343 E Barstow Ave; Fresno, Calif. 93710.
Jerry Ward was born on April 20, 1935, on the family farm in Cleveland County, OK, to Eugene V Ward and Dorothy Lee Collier Ward. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, with his family at his side. Jerry’s family left Oklahoma when he was in the seventh grade settling in Porterville, CA. After attending Porterville Junior College, Jerry joined theUnited States Navy for four years. Before enjoying a long career as a self-employed CPA, he worked for Pacific Finance in California & Arizona, and as a State Farm agent in Exeter, CA. He and his family moved to Fresno, CA, in 1974, so he could attend California State University, Fresno. After graduating, he worked for Roberson, Martin, Rowell & Linger and then began his own practice in 1978. In 1983, he and Jim Jorgenson formed Jorgenson & Ward Accountancy Corp. until 1990, when he went back to being a sole proprietor sharing offices with Mary Ann Stites who eventually purchased his practice when he retired. During his working career, his wife Kathy worked by his side for 28 years. He would often joke he was the boss at work and she was the boss at home. Jerry was an active member at Wesley United Methodist Church where he chaired the Finance Committee, was Treasurer of the Wesley Foundation, and after retirement helped out in the church office. He was a founding parent of the local chapter of PFLAG, Parents Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays. Jerry and Kathy loved traveling the United States and Europe whether by car or cruise ship, but his most loved pastime was his family and grandchildren. He is survived by Kathy, his loving wife of 40 years; his daughter, Nina Sensenbaugh and her partner, Jessie Hudgins; son, Darin Sturgill; and daughter, Amy Born and her husband Tom. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Jessica Dunn and her husband Pat, Marissa Sensenbaugh, Riley Born and Cameron Born. He will also be missed by his West Highland White Terrier, Maggie or “Maggot” as he affectionately called her. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Jerry’s Life will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1343 E. Barstow, Fresno, CA on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. Remembrances may be made to the Wesley Foundation or American Cancer Society.
