Donald Gene Ward, 70 of Centralia died Sunday, March 10, 2024, at the Harry S. Truman VA Medical Center in Columbia.

Family and friends are invited to Don's Life Celebration 1:00 PM Saturday, March16, 2024 at Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home in Centralia. A burial with full military honors will follow in the Glendale Memorial Gardens.

A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 PM Friday, March 15, 2024, at the funeral home.

Don was born on October 6, 1953, in Audrain County, the son of Amos Adolph and Elsi Elizabeth (Mayzell Griggs) Ward.

Don Served his country in the United States Navy.

After returning home from his time in the Navy he married Patricia Cockrell, and she preceded him in death on November 14, 2018.

Don is survived by his daughters, Sherri Mills and husband David, and Melissa Souaqui and husband Mounaim; grandchildren, Logan, Gabe, Dominic, Trinity and Yassir; siblings, Jim Ward and wife Cathy, Lola Curran and husband David, and Phyllis Ward; nine nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his wife, his parents and a niece, Michelle Phillipe.

Watching sports, in particular football, collecting, spending time outside and helping people were great joys for Don. He was a handyman, and liked to have fun and tease anyone he could. Don loved playing cards, specifically Canasta. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family, especially on the 4th of July and Christmas, his two favorite holidays.

Memorial donations are suggested to the Centralia VFW post 6276 of the Centralia Avenue of the Flags and may be sent in care of Fenton-Kendrick Funeral Home 104 S. Collier St. Centralia, MO 65240.