Jerry Van Ward

Jerry Ward, age 84, of Strawberry, Arkansas passed away Saturday, January 20, 2024 in Little Rock. He was born July 28, 1939 to Owen and Juddie Ward. He was the seventh of eight children and the youngest boy.

He was a veteran, serving honorably in the United States Navy. He was born into a family of entrepreneurs and followed that path the majority of his life. His early occupations included bootlegging, x-ray technician, running a pool hall and truck driving for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. However, the majority of his life he was self employed, buying and selling cars, trucks, heavy equipment and real estate.

He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish both fresh and saltwater. His primary passion was bird hunting. He loved training bird dogs and hunting quail in Arkansas and pheasant in South Dakota. Jerry never met a stranger. He was generous to a fault and always an advocate for anyone in need of help. He had boundless curiosity and loved to learn. He had a broad range of interests and hobbies from stargazing to horticulture.

This was a man full of laughter and love of living. He was a magnetic personality full of anecdotes and ripping good stories. It has been an honor to walk this life with you. We love you and bid you farewell until we meet again.

He is preceded in death by parents; his first wife, Jane and his second wife, Jaime.

He is survived by his children, Shelley, Marty and Jade; his grandchildren, Joshua, Sheana, James and Jaden; and his great grandchild, John Daniel.

Funeral services will be Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at the Milligan Campground Church with Bro. Mitch Ward officiating. Burial will follow in the Milligan Campground Cemetery with arrangements by Qualls Funeral Home of Cave City.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 26, 2024 at the Qualls Funeral Home Chapel from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Cissel, Denny Ward, Phillip Ward, Ronney Nunnally, Chris Wilson and Jeffrey French.

Thank you to Travis Otwell and his talented father for designing and crafting such a beautiful casket to carry our father to his final resting place.