Joseph Kenton Ward

Joseph Kenton "Joe Kent" Ward Joe was born on January 27th, 1981 to Leslie and Greg Ward in Hobbs, NM. He was called home on May 17, 2010. Joe grew up in Andrews attending school from Kindergarten all the way through his senior year, graduating with honors in 1999. During this time he participated in 4H, showing lambs and pigs. He played every sport that Andrews had to offer including football, tennis, basketball, swimming, and even bull riding. He excelled in everything he did, especially winning many awards and trophies in his tennis career. After High School he attended Midland College before entering the work force. After college he went to work as an oilfield electrician helper for Tessco. He worked his way up through the ranks of Jupiter Electric, Sun Electric, and K & S Electric before starting his own company, Ward Electric and Control Automation in 2009. In 2008 he achieved the accomplishment of becoming a Journeyman Electrician.In the summer of 2002, Joe met Loree Merriman of Midland and on October 6, 2007 they became one. Joe loved spending time with Loree and his two sons, Connor and Caleb. They attended Rockhounds baseball games together and spent time hanging out with family and friends. Joe attended Golf Course Road Church of Christ with his family and was involved in the men's prayer breakfast ministry. Joe was passionate about pursuing his faith and in January of 2009 attended a "Dare to Soar" men's weekend that deepened his relationship with God. He loved going on Indian Guides campouts with Connor and was known to some as "Screaming Eel". They also enjoyed playing baseball in the backyard together. He loved traveling with Loree and the boys. He was a handyman. He loved tinkering around with remodeling the house (at his own pace) and using the electrical technologies he learned at work into his home. At one point, while installing some lighting in the attic, he found himself in the hallway after falling through the ceiling.Joe is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Kenneth Gough and uncle, Kenny Gough. He is survived by his wife, Loree, 2 sons, Connor and Caleb, his parents, Joe and Leslie Vargas of Andrews, and Greg Ward of Hobbs, maternal grandmother Bobbye McNew of Hobbs, paternal grandparents Bill and Barbara Ward of Hobbs, 3 brothers, Kris Ward of San Marcos, Dustin Wilcox and wife Stephanie of Odessa, Clif Ward and wife Shaela of Dallas, sister Erika McCasland Almquist of Odessa, nephews Trent Ward of Andrews, Jayden Ward of Midland, Jonathan, Trenton, and Auston Brookshire of Greenwood, and Langston Hopkins of Midland, nieces Shaelyn Ward of Dallas, and Macy Hopkins of Midland, and many aunts, uncles, cousins & other extended family members and friends.Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Friday, May 21, 2010 at Golf Course Road Church of Christ with Charlton Taylor and Barry Thomas, officiating. Interment will follow at Serenity Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, Thursday, May 20, 2010 at the funeral home.The family suggests memorials be made to The Crucible Project, 6125 N Hoyne AVE, Unit 3 South, Chicago, IL 60659.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,