Capt. Hugh Bernard Ward Jr., 86, of Owensboro passed away Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital. He was born October 17, 1938, in Hollywood, California to the late Colonel Hugh Bernard Ward Sr. and Louise Bostian Ward. Hugh attended Owensboro High School and graduated from Georgia Military College. He pursued his undergraduate degree at Texas A & M (Go Aggies!) and received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Evansville College (now the University of Evansville).
Hugh served as a Vietnam veteran in the U.S. Army from 1964-1973 with the rank of Captain. He served in various locations including Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, Germany, Vietnam, and Seoul, Korea before returning to the States. Hugh was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader for 32 years with one of those years in Germany and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was a model railroader, co-authoring the White Flag railroad publication and participating in the O & E (Owensboro and Elsewhere) Railroad Club. Hugh was a faithful member of Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Some of his favorite pastimes included reading, watching TV and movies and eating lunch on Thursday’s at Hardees with the ROMEO (Real Old Men Eating Out) group as well as Saturday breakfast with good friends. His most favorite thing was spending time with his grandkids and great grandkids which he could never stop talking and bragging about.
In addition to his parents, Hugh also was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Ruth Brown Ward in 2021 and his sister, Mary Louise Fagnant.
Those left to cherish his memory include his five children, Michelle Vance, Hugh “Bernie” Ward III both of Owensboro, Gretchen Payne (Kevin) of Philpot, Patricia Burns (Rossy) of Maceo, and Jonathan Ward Sr. also of Owensboro; 18 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews, cousins, and many friends.
The funeral service with a final salute will be noon Saturday, April 12 at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be Friday from 3:00 until 7:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the service. Entombment with full military honors will be at Owensboro Memorial Gardens.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Disabled American Veterans at www.DAV.org or Boy Scouts of America,1325 Walnut Hill Lane P.O. Box 152079 Irving, Texas 75015-2079.
Condolences and memories for Hugh’s family may be left at www.glenncares.com.