James Arthur Ward, 78, of Vidor, died on Monday, June 18, 2012, at Silsbee Oaks Health Care.

He was born March 21, 1934, in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, to Rosie Mae Cain Ward and Elmer Fieldon Ward, and had been a resident of the area most of his life.

James was a United States Navy veteran and was a retired millwright with Mobil Chemical, Beaumont.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Klock Ward; daughters, Cherrise Thomas, Michele Sonnier, and Jana Bloomfield, all of Vidor; sisters, Melba Dupree and Margaret Ward, both of Beaumont; granddaughter, Diane Keller of Kingwood; grandsons, Keith Thomas of Fort Polk, Louisiana and Bryan Sonnier of Richardson; and three great-grandchildren.

A gathering of Mr. Ward’s family and friends will begin at 9:00 a.m., with his memorial service at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, June 21, 2012, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  His committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to River of Life Worship Center, P.O. Box 1327, Vidor, Texas 77670-1327 or to Alzheimer’s Association, 700 North Street, Suite M, Beaumont, Texas 77701.