Obituary of Stephen James Ward

Stephen James Ward, age 71, of Tucson, AZ, formerly of Pikeville, TN, went to be with the Lord on Monday, February 13, 2023, after a sudden illness. He was born on July 14, 1951, in Lorain, OH. He lived in Ohio until moving to Tulsa, OK, to further his music career. He had a passion for playing the guitar at an early age, following in his dad’s musical footsteps. He moved to Pikeville, TN, and continued to use his talents with various groups at local benefits and churches, including the gospel group, Covenant. If it had a string, he could play it. He worked at Red Cole’s for many years and also 17 years at Tecumseh, before closing, as a production operator. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Gloria Ward; beloved first wife, Alice Moore Ward; second wife, Patty Ferguson Ward; daughter, Stephanie Lewis; brother, Kenneth Ward; sister, Karen Linden; and five great-grand angels, Hayden, Casey, Baylee, Weston and Leevon. He is survived by daughters, Milissa Tarrant Mathis (Mario) of OH, Jenifer Campbell of Grundy and Cyndi (Jamey) Guy of Pikeville; step-daughters, Sarah, Antonia and Andrea (Phil) Welsh of AZ; brother and best friend, Barney Ward; sisters, Bambi (Bill) Hunter, Chrystal Ward, Marie (Dale) Longbrake and Naomi (Todd) Reynolds; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. Services will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. CST in the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Cagle Cemetery. Online condolences can be made at www.reedfamilyfh.com. Arrangements are by Putnam-Reed Funeral Home, 1171 Main Street, Pikeville, TN. Visitation will be held Saturday, February 25, 2023 from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. CST.