John A. Ward, 67, of Leonardtown, Maryland, died suddenly on July 28, 2012 at St. Mary's Hospital. John was born on December 8, 1944 to Sophia (Rylander) Ward of Cortland, Ohio and the late John Ward.

John graduated from Howland High School in Warren, Ohio in 1962 and joined the U.S. Navy on Sept 5, 1962. He attended AFUA School from March - August 1963. Also, ATW (A) School from August 1963 - October 1963. He was an aircrewman and electronics technician stationed in Newfoundland and later at Patuxent River Naval Air Station where he was honorably discharged in 1965. He decided to reside in Charles County where he worked at Xerox for the following 35 years as a tech representative and later in sales. John retired from Xerox in 1998 and moved to St. Mary's County shortly thereafter. In October 2001 he began working at Lockheed Martin as an electronics technician where he was currently employed.

John lived, enjoying every season of life. The outdoors kept him captive until the sun went down each day, when he would find something useful to do indoors, often fixing something in his workshop or enjoying time with family and friends. He loved to work with his hands, fish and hunt enjoying the solitude of a new day dawning sitting in his deer stand. He was fun loving, kind and caring and referred to himself as a (Simple) man. He never met a stranger and was loved by all he came in contact with. He was an active member of his church serving on several committees. He was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who was in need.

John is survived by his mother, Sophia A. Ward of Cortland, OH, his wife, Carol A. (Stephens) Ward; children, Carrie Roland of Delaware, Jeff Ward (Becky) of St. Petersburg, Florida, Bill Keen (Pizzel) of Valley Lee, MD, and John Keen (Tracy) of Drayden, MD; sister, Sheila Stiver (Tom) of Cortland, Ohio; brother, Tom Ward (Amy) of Fountain Hills, Arizona and Grandchildren, KT Roland, Jackson Ward, Taylor Keen, Lorin Keen, Addison Keen, Colt Keen, Cade Keen and Owen Keen. He is also survived by his former wife, Molly Ward of La Plata, MD.

Family will receive friends for a brief memorial visitation on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at the Lexington Park United Methodist Church, 21760 Great Mills Road, Lexington Park, MD, 20653 from 10 AM to 11 AM. A memorial service celebrating John's life will follow at 11 AM with Pastors Doug and Lori Hays presiding.

In Lieu of flowers, a legacy of helping others can be continued in John's memory with contributions directed to the Lexington Park United Methodist Church.

Arrangements made by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.