Robert Leroy Ward

Robert was a 1975 graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School in Port Acres.  He completed the Carpenter’s Apprentice Program in 1979 and placed second in the state at the carpenter’s competition in Austin, Texas.  He also attended Lamar University.  Robert was a true craftsman and took a common sense approach to everything.  He was a true problem solver.

Robert was instrumental on the Valdez Oil Spill Cleanup in Alaska, the BP Deep Water Horizon Oil Spill Cleanup in Grand Isle, Louisiana, and on numerous overseas projects in Thailand, Africa, and most recently in Colombia.  He brought his family with him on most projects, enrolled his children in international schools, and assisted his three daughters in volunteering at an orphanage home in Thailand.  He had a knack for quickly adapting to any environment and making friends instantly. 

He is survived by his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Tina Lanclos Ward; children, April Ward Varney and her husband, Guy, Ashley Ward Donahue and her husband, Adam, all of Frisco, Texas, and Kaleigh Ward and her fiancé, Adam Hebert, of Lake Charles, Louisiana; grandchildren, Maddie Varney, Maycee Varney, Addison Donahue, Kennedi Donahue and soon to be baby boy Donahue; brothers, Frank Ward and his wife, Stephanie, of Austin, Texas, John Ward and his wife, Becky, of Seneca, South Carolina, Pat Leon Ward and his wife, Barbara, of Groves, Texas and Dan Ward and his wife, Diane, of LaBelle, Texas; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Wayne and Eva Carruth of Colmesneil, Texas; sisters-in-law, Deborah Vise and her husband, John, of Houston, Pam Short and her husband, Jim, of Little Elm, Texas and Kathy Comte and her husband, Chuck, of Midlothian, Texas; and a host of numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Robert is preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Richard Leroy Ward.

A gathering of Mr. Ward’s family and friends will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary recited at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, 2014, at Broussard’s Funeral Home located at 505 North 12th Street in Nederland, Texas.  All friends and acquaintances are encouraged to attend the celebration of an individual’s unique life, and witness the grand finale.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 14, 2014, at St. Therese, the Little Flower of Jesus Catholic Church located at 6412 Garnet Avenue in Port Arthur, Texas with interment to follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas.

Robert’s hobbies included camping, cooking, partaking in various casino activities, and telling Boudreaux/Thibodeaux jokes.  He had his own distinctive idea on what color gumbo rue should be and kept the color chart on him at all times.  Robert was an avid golfer, and was an annual participant in the DH Classic Golf Tournament.  He was member of the 1st Asian Chapter of the DH Classic, and won 1st place in the 21st Annual DH Classic in 2009.  However, his most treasured moments were spent with his grandchildren.  Robert lived life to the fullest.  He maximized his opportunities and accepted every challenge presented to him.  Robert wasn’t the life of the party, HE WAS THE PARTY.