Ralph D. Ward, 85, of Midland passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017 in Big Spring, Texas. Graveside services will be at 2:00 pm Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Old Town Cemetery, Mt. Calm, Texas. Visitation will be from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland, Texas.Ralph was born in Bynum, Texas on March 8, 1932 to Johnie and Monnie Cox Ward. He moved at an early age with his family to Mount Calm, Texas, where he graduated from high school. He loved sports and lettered in baseball, football, basketball, and track for all four years. He joined the U.S. Army in 1952 and served his country until March of 1955. After returning home from the service he married his high school sweetheart Dolores “Tillie” Goodloe on July 1, 1955. Ralph attended and graduated from the Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy in Austin in December 1955. He began his first assignment as a Highway Patrolman in Lamesa, Texas in January 1956. He then transferred to Midland, Texas in July 1965. He retired as a Texas State Trooper in 1993 after 38 years of service.Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 61 years Dolores Ward of Midland; daughter Leigh Ann Ward-Weidner and husband Chuck of Arlington, Texas; sons Brian Ward and wife Nita of Spring, Texas, and Keith Ward and wife Penny of Spring, Texas; grandchildren Erin and Michael Ciaravino of Conroe, Texas, Brandon Ward of Midland, Texas, Lauren Ward of Lubbock, Texas, Tyler Ward of Spring, Texas, Nick Weidner of Lubbock, Texas, Adam and Maggie Weidner of Cedar Hill, Texas, Meaghan and Daniel Norton of Andalusia, Alabama, and Dylan Weidner of Arlington, Texas; beautiful great grandson Logan Ciaravino of Conroe, Texas; sister-in-law Adele Newby of Mt. Palaski, Illinois.The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Midland Memorial Hospital and Continue Care, Baylor University Medical Center of Dallas, Senior Care Center of Midland, Golf Course Road Church of Christ, and most of all the loving and caring staff of Lamun-Lusk-Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home in Big Spring. Thank you to all the many friends for the caring, love, and support that you gave to Ralph and the family over the last two years.In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, the Midland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Home Hospice, or to the charity of your choice.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
